Hantavirus case serves as reason for caution

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Hantavirus has been in the news following the deaths of a noteworthy couple, and with many beginning spring-cleaning efforts around their homes, there is reason to be vigilant about working in areas that may house rodents.

Betsy Arakawa, the wife of star Gene Hackman, was found dead in February in her New Mexico home due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Hackman also was found dead in the house, but it's believed he died several days after his wife of other health issues.

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne disease spread through contact with an animal or its excrement. The disease can't be spread from person to person.

"It's a family of viruses that can cause several different illnesses and even death,"  Kristi Billings, a St. Joseph community health nurse, said. "There's the pulmonary syndrome, and then there's hieratic fever with renal syndrome. So there's two actual different viruses within that. It depends on the person and the virus itself, what it causes within that person."

Historically, hantavirus cases have been more frequent in southwestern states such as Colorado and New Mexico.

From 1993 to 2022, over 800 cases were documented in the U.S., with 119 found in Colorado and 122 in New Mexico. However, cases have been reported in several states, including Missouri.

"I think it's the dear mouse population in the west, 94% of the, cases are west of the Mississippi," University of New Mexico Pulmonologist Michelle Harkins said. "It does have a wide range. But I think it some degree of elevation, maybe rural areas, where there may be bigger mice populations and interactions with humans."

Typical symptoms are identical to the common flu and include fever, muscle aches, chills and headaches.

There isn't a known treatment or cure, but getting medical assistance early on is recommended to improve the odds of recovery.