I will now provide additional information about hantav viruses in New Mexico. There are many different types of hantav viruses found worldwide. These viruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans. Honav viruses are carried by rodents. The hantav virus found in New Mexico, the Sin Nombre virus, is found throughout the state, primarily in deer mice, but in other rodents as well. Honta virus pulmonary syndrome is *** rare disease caused by hantavviruses, but *** small number of human infections are found every year in New Mexico. Over the past 5 years, New Mexico has confirmed between 1 and 7 hantav virus infections in humans each year. Through the end of 2024, we have identified 136 infections over the past 50 years in New Mexico residents, five of these in Santa Fe County. This is *** serious disease. 42% of these infections here in New Mexico were fatal. Most transmission occurs around the patient's residence or workplace, and the New Mexico Department of Health typically conducts an environmental investigation at the residents of all hanta virus cases in our jurisdiction. This can help identify specific areas that may pose higher risk providing insight into where transmission may have occurred and how to prevent future infections. On March 5th, the New Mexico Department of Health staff conducted *** risk assessment of the property, including the main residence, as well as other structures on the property. This was critically important to address concerns about health risks to first responders, as well as to inform any prevention measures needed to protect the family and other individuals entering the property in the future. We assessed the risk of exposure in the primary residence as low, similar to other well maintained houses in New Mexico. We did identify signs of rodent entry in other structures on the property and provided information and resources about reducing the risk of hanta virus transmission related to those areas. Honavvirus can be transmitted to people through rodent urine droppings or saliva, so it is important to take special steps when cleaning up after rodents. Avoiding contact with or breathing in aerosolized rodent urine or feces, especially in *** poorly ventilated area, is key. Detailed guidance can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health and the CDC websites, but I will provide *** very brief summary now. It is important to use gloves and *** well fitting N95 mask when around or cleaning rodent-infested areas and to open any windows or doors for at least 30 minutes beforehand to increase ventilation. Spray the area thoroughly with *** 10% bleach solution or *** commercial disinfectant. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Next, clean the area with paper towels, then throw them away in *** covered garbage can that is regularly emptied. Before removing gloves, wash your gloved hands with soap and water or with *** disinfectant, and then after removing gloves, wash your hands again with soap and water. It's important to never sweep up or vacuum mouse droppings since this can spread particles up into the air. Since Honta virus is found throughout New Mexico, awareness of these risks and how to reduce them is important for all New Mexicans. The New Mexico Department of Health extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends during this difficult time. Thank you.
What is hantavirus? What to know about the virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife
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Updated: 3:24 PM CST Mar 7, 2025
Authorities revealed Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease a full week after his wife died of hantavirus in their home.Related video above: Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico State Veterinarian, on hantavirus pulmonary syndromeAuthorities initially ruled out foul play after the bodies were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.Hackman, 95, was found in the home鈥檚 entryway. His death was tied to heart disease with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease contributing.Arakawa, 65, was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter. Authorities linked her death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.Here's what to know about hantavirus and how to avoid it.What is hantavirus?Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide, according to the CDC. People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.The syndrome is a rare lung disease that kills about a third of those infected. Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches and fatigue, though it is not communicable from person to person.In the United States, the carriers of hantavirus are deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white-footed mice.The virus can be present in the rodents鈥� urine, droppings and saliva, and it is spread to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus, the CDC says.How to avoid hantavirusHow it's spread: Touching or breathing air particles of urine or droppings from certain types of mice or rats, especially deer mice.Symptoms: Develop one to six weeks later and can include flulike symptoms that progress into a dry cough, headache, nausea and vomiting, then shortness of breath.Where it occurs: Anywhere in the U.S.; recent cases were in Yosemite National Park in California.Prevention: Keep rodents out of your home; carefully clean any nests with disinfectant or bleach and water.
Authorities revealed Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease and showed severe signs of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease a full week after his wife died of hantavirus in their home.
Related video above: Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico State Veterinarian, on hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Authorities initially ruled out foul play after the bodies were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.
Hackman, 95, was found in the home鈥檚 entryway. His death was tied to heart disease with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease contributing.
Arakawa, 65, was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter. Authorities linked her death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Here's what to know about hantavirus and how to avoid it.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide, according to the CDC. People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.
The syndrome is a rare lung disease that kills about a third of those infected. Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches and fatigue, though it is not communicable from person to person.
In the United States, the carriers of hantavirus are deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white-footed mice.
The virus can be present in the rodents鈥� urine, droppings and saliva, and it is spread to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus, the CDC says.
How to avoid hantavirus
How it's spread: Touching or breathing air particles of urine or droppings from certain types of mice or rats, especially deer mice.
Symptoms: Develop one to six weeks later and can include flulike symptoms that progress into a dry cough, headache, nausea and vomiting, then shortness of breath.
Where it occurs: Anywhere in the U.S.; recent cases were in Yosemite National Park in California.
Prevention: Keep rodents out of your home; carefully clean any nests with disinfectant or bleach and water.
![gene hackman in hoosiers](https://kubrick.htvapps.com/htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/images/ap267c0a8cab1bfd.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.726xh;0,0.0639xh&resize=136:* "FILE - Actor Gene Hackman gives fictional Hickory High basketball players instructions during filming of the final game of the movie "Hoosiers" at Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler University campus, Friday, Dec. 6, 1985 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland, File)")