Betsy Arakawa, wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted by infected rodents, officials confirm.Health experts warn that hantavirus can cause flu-like symptoms after exposure to rodent droppings,

Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, tragically died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and fatal rodent-borne infection. She passed away just days before Hackman, who died from heart disease.

Hantavirus, a rare but deadly rodent-borne disease, caused the death of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa. Learn about symptoms, risks, and prevention.