What Is Hantavirus And How Deadly Is It Really?

Following the tragic revelation about the cause of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s death, there has been growing discussion about hantavirus. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed that Arakawa passed away first from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and that Hackman, who was living with heart issues and advanced Alzheimer’s known to affect life expectancy, died days later. Dr. Jarrell explained that his memory loss was so advanced that he may not have even realized his wife was gone.

Given that Arakawa was reportedly active and seemingly healthy days before her death, everyone seems to be asking the same question: What exactly is the hantavirus, and can it really kill so suddenly? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantaviruses are carried by rodents. If a person comes in contact with droppings, saliva, or urine from infected rodents or inhales airborne virus particles, they can contract a hantavirus.

Like all viruses, hantaviruses gradually take over the body’s cells, replicate, and spread. When the hantavirus targets blood vessels in the lungs, they begin to leak fluid, leading to severe breathing problems and, in some cases, lung and heart failure. This condition is known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Another way the virus attacks the body is by targeting the kidney and causing organ failure, also known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are both caused by hantaviruses, but they are found in different parts of the world. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is typically found in Asia and Europe, while hantavirus pulmonary syndrome occurs in North, Central, and South Americas. Some early signs of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, often accompanied by headache, dizziness, and chills. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, however, begins with acute headache, pain in the back and abdomen, fever, blurred vision, and facial flushing or inflammation. 

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no cure or singular treatment for either form of the virus. Doctors typically encourage patients to rest and stay hydrated while treating their symptoms with intensive care. Patients who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome may experience severe breathing difficulties and require oxygen support, while serious cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome could need kidney dialysis. The CDC also reports that 40% of people who contract HPS do not survive. However, it adds that you can protect yourself by ensuring rodents can’t get into your living spaces. 

If you’ve ever considered getting a domesticated rodent, you’re probably wondering if hantavirus is among the diseases can be passed between you and your prospective pet. Fortunately, pet rodents from controlled breeding environments do not typically carry hantaviruses. Licensed veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Shepherd advises researching which species may carry the virus and purchasing only from a reputable breeder.