What is Huntwirus, a rare disease that killed actor Jean Hackman’s wife Batsi?
Betasi Arkawa, wife of Hollywood actor Jean Hackman, died of Huntwirus pulmonary syndrome. Know what it is
In short
- Actor Jean Hackman’s wife Batsi died of a rare syndrome due to mice
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a severe respiratory disease
- The death rate is high, about 30-40%
Oscar winning actor Jean Hackman died due to natural causes, a week after his wife Betsi Arkawa’s death. While hackman died of heart disease as a result of Alzheimer’s, Batesi succumbed due to a rare disease caused by mice, known as Hunvirus pulmonary syndrome.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but severe respiratory disease caused by infection with huntwirus, mainly spread through contact with rodents urine, drops, or saliva. This also means that the virus breathing through rodent droplets.
It is the most attached to deer mice in North America, but other rodents can also be carried out around the world.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Huntwirus can be a health threat worldwide.
Hantaviruses causes two main syndromes: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with kidney syndrome (HFRS). Huntwirus can give birth to HPS in the Western Hemisphere including the US. In the US, the most common Hunavius caused by HP is transmitted by deer mice.
On the other hand, HFRS, mainly incorporating a group of similar diseases due to the huntwirus found in Europe and Asia.
However, there is a type of Huntavirus Seoul virus responsible for HFRS, including the United States, including the United States.
Symptoms of Huntavirus pulmonary syndrome
Early symptoms of HP include fever and chills, muscle pain (especially thighs, hips, back and shoulders), fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Subsequently, a few days later, the disease increases to respiratory deficiency due to fluid buildup in lungs, cough, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure and respiratory failure.
Is HPS cureable?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for HPS. To improve existence, one has to be hospitalized with oxygen therapy and assistant care (such as ventilation).
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate is high, about 30–40%.
The spread of the virus can be prevented to avoid rodent-worked areas, using gloves and germs while cleaning the seal holes in the houses to prevent rodent entry, rodent droplets, and closes closed places before entering.