Hantavirus, the disease that caused the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, has claimed the lives of three people in California.
After Arakawa, 65, was found dead along with Hackman, 95, on February 26, the authorities confirmed their cause of death as “Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome” (HPS), while Hackman succumbed to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease together with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Now, the public health of Mono County has confirmed a total of three deaths due to Hantavirus in Mammoth Lakes, a city in the mountains of Sierra Nevada in California.
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Hantavirus include a Virus group According to Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia in Australia.
After Betsy Arakawa, 65, was found dead along with her husband Gene Hackman, 95, on February 26, the authorities confirmed their cause of death as Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella collection through Getty Images)
Most Hantavirus found in North, Central and South America can cause HP. The disease has a mortality rate of almost 40% in those They are infected.
The three recent cases of California have been fatal, that Dr. Tom Boo, a public health officer described as “tragic and alarming.”
“We have no clear idea where this young adult may have contracted,” Boo said in a press release.
“An increase in inner mice raises the risk of exposure to hantavirus.”
A person had “numerous mice” in their home, but no evidence of mice in the other two houses was found, according to the statement.
“The appearance of three cases in a short period has worried me, especially this at the beginning of the year,” said Boo.
“We observe some mice in the workplace, which is not unusual for interior spaces at this time of year in gigantic lakes,” he continued. “We have not identified any other activity in the weeks prior to the disease that would have increased the exposure of this person to mice or their excrements.”
The most common type of rodent to carry it in the US. It is the deer mouse. “Many of us find deer mice in our daily lives and there is some risk. We must pay attention to the presence of mice and be careful with their waste,” said a health official. (Istock)
Hantavirus cases are generally seen in the area at the end of spring and summer, said the public health officer.
Seeing three cases so early in the year is “surprisingly unusual.”
“We believe that deer mice numbers are high this year in Mammoth (and probably in other parts of the Sierra del Este),” Boo wrote. “An increase in interior mice raises the risk of exposure to hantavirus. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions.”
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None of the infected people involved in activities that would have exposed them to the virus, such as cleaning interior areas or poorly ventilated units with many mice waste, the official continued.
“On the other hand, these people may have been exposed during normal daily activities, either at home or in the workplace,” he said.
“Many of us find deer mice in our daily lives and there is some risk. We must pay attention to the presence of mice and be careful with their waste.”
How Hantavirus spreads
“Hantavirus typically spread when humans breathe virus particles by altered rodents, droppings or nesting materials,” Parry told Fox News Digital.
According to CDCs, it is not known that the Hantavirus found in the United States spread among people.
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Other propagation mechanisms, according to CDCs, include breathing contaminated air when cleaning after rodents, touching contaminated objects and then touching the nose or mouth, being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent and eating food contaminated with the virus.
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of Medicine at the Senior Medical Analyst of Nyu Langone Health and Fox News, agreed that Hantavirus can spread through the dust of saliva, urine and the places of the rodents they touch.
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The most common Rodent type Take it in the USA. It is the deer mouse, the doctor confirmed.
Most cases of Hantavirus are seen in rural areas, where rodents are more likely to get into homes or barns, CDC said.
Siegel added that humans rarely affect “because only some of the rodents have it, and not everyone comes into contact, but one third in half cases are fatal.”
Symptoms and treatment
The early symptoms of Hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems That appears from one to eight weeks after the exhibition, according to Parry.
“These progress towards serious respiratory symptoms such as cough, lack of breath and liquid in the lungs of four to 10 days later,” he said.
Hantavirus is a RNA virus that can be transmitted to humans through rodent droppings, causing serious illness. (Istock)
The nameless virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.
“Usually, it becomes fatal when the lungs are filled with liquid, which leads to Respiratory failure And the insufficient oxygen that reaches vital organs, “Parry said.
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There is no specific antiviral treatment for Hantavirus, said the expert, although early intensive care with oxygenapia and Support measures It is crucial.
“Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have a sudden acute disease can become seriously ill and die,” says CDC.
The early symptoms of Hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems that appear one to eight weeks after the exhibition. (Istock)
“If a patient experiences complete anguish, the treatment is less likely to be effective.”
Support attention may include monitoring function of the heartmanaging fluids and oxygen, and placing the patient in a fan as necessary. Patients can also receive broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, fever and analgesic reducers.
“Early intensive medical care is critical, because patients who have a sudden acute disease can become seriously ill and die.”
“Although there is no cure for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, it is important to seek medical attention when breathing, because the patient may need support from a mechanical fan or an body membrane oxygenator machine (ECMO) to deliver enough oxygen to his body,” Dr. Sonja Bartolome, pulmonology expert and critical care in UT Southwwest Center, said Fox News Digital.
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“Even with medical care, from 30% to 40% of people who develop Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive.”
Hantavirus prevention
To prevent the virus from spreading, the public health of Mono County recommended sealing gaps in the house to prevent mice from entering and storing food in rodent -proof containers.
Health officials advised the vacuum cleaner or sweep the excrements of rodents, nests or urine, since it can cause the virus in the air. (Istock)
They also advised against the vacuum or sweeping rodent droppings, nests or urine, as it can cause virus in the air.
Any contaminated area must be sprinkled with a disinfectant or a 10% 10% bleach solution, they recommended, and any enclosed area should be broadcast for at least 30 minutes before the activities.
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People should wear gloves and a N-95 mask when cleaning contaminated areas.
“It does not eat foods that may have been contaminated by rodents, and always wash well after any potential exposure,” added health officials.
