What To Know About Hantavirus—The Rare Mouse-Borne Virus That Killed Gene Hackman’s Wife Arakawa

Forbes - Mar 8th, 2025

Renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have passed away, with New Mexico health officials revealing the causes of their deaths. Hackman, aged 95, succumbed to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a common form of heart disease. Meanwhile, 65-year-old Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and severe viral infection spread by rodents. Despite signs of rodent presence, investigators could not determine the exact source of Arakawa's infection. This tragic event has sparked renewed attention on the dangers of hantavirus, a disease that remains rare but deadly, especially in the western United States.

The couple's deaths were initially deemed suspicious due to their simultaneous passing in their home, with Hackman reportedly living for several days unaware of his wife's death due to his advanced Alzheimer's. The identification of Arakawa's cause of death as hantavirus highlights the ongoing risk of rodent-borne diseases in states like New Mexico, which has one of the highest incidences of hantavirus in the U.S. This incident underscores the importance of public awareness and preventive measures against rodent exposure, given the disease's high fatality rate and the absence of specific treatments.

Gene Hackman Betsy Arakawa Hantavirus Heart Disease New Mexico Health Officials Rodent Borne Diseases Alzheimer's Disease

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RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively communicates the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, providing accurate information about hantavirus and its implications. It benefits from credible sources and clear language, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the story could improve in balance by exploring broader perspectives and providing more transparency about the investigation process. While it captures public interest and is timely, its impact on driving policy changes or sparking significant debate is limited. Overall, the article serves as a reliable source of information on a rare and concerning health issue.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the causes of death for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, attributing Hackman's death to heart disease and Arakawa's to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This aligns with official statements and CDC information. The article correctly describes how hantavirus is transmitted through contact with infected rodents and accurately presents the symptoms and fatality rates. However, the story could benefit from more precise details about the timeline of events and the investigation's findings, particularly regarding the exact mode of transmission for Arakawa's infection.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the factual circumstances surrounding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, with a detailed explanation of hantavirus. While it provides a thorough overview of the disease, it does not explore other perspectives or broader implications, such as public health responses or preventive measures. This limited viewpoint might suggest a lack of balance in considering the wider context and potential impacts of such rare disease cases.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting information logically and concisely. It uses straightforward language to explain medical terms and the circumstances of the deaths, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of more background information on hantavirus and the investigation could enhance clarity further.

Source quality

The article references credible sources, such as the New Mexico health officials and the CDC, to support its claims about hantavirus and the causes of death. These sources are authoritative and reliable, lending credibility to the information presented. However, the article could improve by citing more diverse sources, such as expert opinions or additional health organizations, to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency by citing the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the CDC. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the investigation's methodology and the context in which the information was gathered. The story could be more transparent by clarifying how conclusions were reached and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest among sources.