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Than the Oscar award winner Gene Hackman and his wife, the classic pianist Betsy Arakawa, Last week dead on the floor Founded in various rooms in New Mexico, the investigators started to solve the riddle around the events. On Friday they announced that the tests showed that Arakawa, 65, a rare respiratory disease died. She was through a Hantavirus caused. Possibly already on February 11th. They said that Hackman, 95, a heart disease and a “advanced Alzheimer’s disease” succumbed. Most likely days or even a week later, on February 18.
The unveiling immediately raised questions about what exactly the Hantavirus syndrome is. And how to protect yourself from infection. Officials said on Friday that they believe that Betsy Arakawa infected the Hantavirus by rodent in a building somewhere on the couple’s property. But not in her “well -groomed” house. According to the CDC, people infect the hantavirus through contact with rodents such as rats and mice. Especially if they are exposed to their urine, feces and saliva.
Liquid in the lungs
“A Hantavirus infection is characterized by flu-like symptoms, which consist of fever, muscle pain, cough, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. You can lead to shortness of breath, heart or heart and lung failure. This occurs after a one to eight-week exposure to the excrement of a certain type of mouse that the Hantavirus carries. ” This is what Heather Jarrell, chief physician of New Mexico, says at a press conference on Friday. She said that the first flu -like symptoms can last about three to six days. Before they go into a lung phase in which people suffer from liquid in and around their lungs.
“At this point, a person can die very quickly. Within 24 to 48 hours, roughly speaking, without medical treatment, ”said Dr. Jarell. “It is not unusual for you to see someone lying on the floor. As part of a deadly collapse, so to speak. And that is exactly what Mrs. Hackman could have happened. ” (Officials announced on Friday that Betsyarakawa on February 11th, the last day she was seen alive, visited a CVS pharmacy. They did not know whether they had reported any symptoms or bought appropriate medication.)
High mortality rate
“It is associated with a relatively high mortality rate. Especially if it is not diagnosed, ”explains Dr. Scott Lindquist, Senior Epidemiologist at the Washington State Department of Healthopposite Rolling Stone. Although infections are rare, people need to know what disease it is. So that you can report a possible exposure if you feel sick, he said.
“We often don’t think of the Hantavirus at first. And people don’t say: “Hey, I have removed a rodent in the house or in the garage.” Therefore, it is often fatal, ”said Lindquist. According to Dr. Jarrell is around 38 to 50 percent of the mortality rate for the Hantavirus strain in the southwest.
There is no specific treatment for the Hantavirus. But early intervention can save lives. “It is really supportive care. The use of a ventilation device. Maintaining blood pressure. The supply of liquid. The balance between severe lung participation and the maintenance of the patient’s life, ”said Lindquist.
Threat to public health
Erin Phipps, the veterinarian responsible for public health in New Mexico, said on Friday that the Hantavirus syndrome is rare. SBER continues to be a threat to public health. “Every year in New Mexico, a few infections are found in humans. In the past five years, in New Mexico, between one and seven Hantavirus infections have been confirmed in humans every year, ”she said. “We have found 136 infections among New Mexico residents in the past 50 years. Five of them in the Santa Fe County. This is a serious disease. 42 percent of these infections were fatal here in New Mexico. ”
According to CDC, 94 percent of the reported Hantavirus infections in the USA west of the Mississippi River on. By the end of 2022, 864 cases of Hantavirus diseases have been reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993.
According to experts, an infection can best be prevented by avoiding contact with forest mice and their urine and feces.
Mask and gloves
“With every infection by rodents, we recommend wearing a mask and gloves. And to clean the area with a bleaching solution, ”says Dr. Lindquist. “Wipe the area with a damp cloth. Disease them in a bag. Try not to generate aerosols [durch Staubsaugen oder Kehren].. “
He said it was also important to avoid rodent infestation from the outset. This means to seal rooms in which rodents can penetrate a house or a garage. In addition, removing all easily accessible foods that could attract mice.
“You can certainly remove an infestation,” said Dr. Lindquist. “The point is not easy to get started and spray. Don’t get the vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Don’t turn. And don’t spray without wearing protective equipment. “