Three Dead in California from Rare Rodent-Borne Virus That Killed Gene Hackman's Wife

Public health officials in California confirmed that three people in the town of Mammoth Lakes have died from hantavirus, which killed actor Gene Hackman’s wife in February.

The highest risk for hantavirus infection is when the aerosolized virus is inhaled, so please don’t vacuum or sweep an area contaminated with rodent droppings or secretions unless you have first saturated it with a 1:9 Clorox solution.

The rare, almost unheard of virus that took the life of Gene Hackman's wife is spreading further, as three more lives have been claimed. Mono County Public Health Officer, Dr Tom Boo said he found the deaths "tragic and alarming" - particularly as none of the deceased seemed to have had lifestyles that would have put them at risk of exposure to the virus.

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found in their Santa Fe home in February, with a coroner later discovering she had hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The Superman star and his classical pianist wife were found partly decomposed and mummified in their home. Experts posited Hackman succumbed to heart disease exacerbated by Alzheimer's approximately a week after to his wife's death.

Betsy Arakawa, the famed actor’s classical pianist wife, died in February of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the couple's New Mexico home. Now, Mono County Public Health confirmed three more deaths this week, calling the situation both ‘tragic’ and ‘alarming’