Overview

• An environmental risk assessment conducted on March 5 found rodent feces, nests, and both live and dead rodents in eight outbuildings on the Santa Fe property of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
• The couple's primary residence was deemed low-risk, with no signs of rodent activity, according to the New Mexico Department of Public Health.
• Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal disease contracted from rodent exposure, on February 12.
• Gene Hackman, 95, passed away six days later from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, unrelated to hantavirus exposure.
• The findings have raised public health concerns about hantavirus risks in the region, prompting recommendations for protective measures when cleaning rodent habitats.