Ms. Arakawa, the wife of the actor Gene Hackman, died from the effects of a disease often caused by contact with droppings from infected rodents.

Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-spread disease with a mortality rate up to 50% in the American Southwest, officials said.

Betsy Arakawa — the classical pianist married to Gene Hackman — died last month of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease linked to rodents, New Mexico authorities announced Friday.

The actor's wife likely died one week before him. He may have unknowingly lived with her body until his own death due to his advanced Alzheimer's disease.

The partially mummified bodies of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered in February at their home in New Mexico.

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Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist and the wife of actor Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus, according to authorities.

Weeks after beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home, their cause of death was finally revealed by investigators. Both died of natural causes, nearly a week apart,

Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome at the age of 65, New Mexico health authorities said. Here’s what to know about the rare but deadly disease.

There are at least 38 recognized species of hantavirus across the world, 24 of which cause disease in humans. It’s considered a rare virus but it’s also likely to be underdiagnosed in many areas of the world because the initial symptoms can be mistaken for cold and flu-like viral infections.

Hantavirus comes from contact with rodents — such as rats and mice — especially after exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva.