Latest news with #HFRS
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hantavirus: the rare pathogen linked to rodents that attacks the lungs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, as well as three California residents, have brought attention to a rare rodent-borne virus that has the potential to turn deadly. While the risk of contracting the hantavirus remains relatively low compared to other sicknesses, it's still important to be aware of how the illness spreads and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that have the potential to cause serious illness and death in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are typically spread from contact with rodent urine, droppings and saliva. In rare cases, the virus can be contracted from a bite or scratch. The CDC started tracing cases of hantavirus-related disease after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. Hantaviruses can cause two distinct syndromes. In the Western Hemisphere, hantaviruses can cause a severe and potentially fatal lung infection known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS); the virus that causes HPS is typically "spread by the deer mouse," which is common in many parts of California, the CDC said. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is another "group of clinically similar illnesses caused by hantaviruses found mostly in Europe and Asia"; Seoul virus, the type of hantavirus that causes HFRS, can be found worldwide, including in the United States. HPS "starts like the flu: body aches, feeling poorly overall," Sonja Bartolome of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said to The Associated Press. In the early stages of the illness, "you really may not be able to tell the difference between hantavirus and having the flu." The infection began getting widespread attention after it was linked to the death of Betsy Arakawa, a pianist and the wife of actor Gene Hackman, in February. Both Arakawa and Hackman's remains were found at their home earlier that month. Hackman likely died of a "combination of high blood pressure and extensive heart disease days after the death of his wife," said The Washington Post. Recently, HPS was also linked to three more deaths in a rural California town, weeks after they all contracted hantavirus. The deceased were all residents of Mammoth Lakes, a popular ski town in the Sierra Nevada range, Mono County public health officials said in a statement. Recording three cases of the virus this early in the year is "strikingly unusual," as the infection is typically detected later in the spring or summer. Officials believe that "deer mouse numbers are high this year in Mammoth (and probably elsewhere in the Eastern Sierra)," said Tom Boo, Mono County's public health officer. An increase in indoor mice "elevates the risk of hantavirus exposure." While hantavirus can be potentially deadly, it is essential to keep the risk of contracting the virus in perspective, family medicine physician David Cutler said to Healthline. In the U.S., where there is "generally good hygiene" and there are not "a lot of people living in rural areas where rodent droppings are common," hantavirus will be "very rare, but not impossible to contract." There have been "fewer than 1,000 cases of hantavirus reported in the United States over the last 30 years," he added. By contrast, "over 100,000 people die each year of viral infections that we can prevent, like Covid, flu and RSV." Hantavirus is "rare but not unusual," said the Post. Deer mice, the sole source of the virus in the area, are widespread in the Eastern Sierra region, according to county health officials. Since 1993, Mono County has recorded 27 cases of hantavirus, more than any other county in California, the public health officials' statement said. The majority of hantavirus cases in the U.S. occur west of the Mississippi River, according to the American Lung Association. If you live in an area where you might come in contact with infected rodent infestations, the "most important public health message is not to aerosolize dropping," Forbes said. When cleaning, "spray the site and debris thoroughly with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water." Wait five minutes, then pick up what is left with a paper towel. Do not "vacuum or sweep up droppings!"
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is hantavirus? The rare but deadly respiratory illness spread by rodents
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Disease name: Hantavirus disease Affected populations: Hantavirus disease is a rare but potentially deadly respiratory illness that is caused by a family of viruses known as hantaviruses. These viruses, which are found worldwide, are typically carried and spread by rodents, such as rats and mice. Between 1993 and 2022, 864 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the United States. New Mexico reported the highest number of cases, at 122, followed by Colorado (119) and Arizona (86). Given that rodents spread hantaviruses, people who are more likely to encounter these animals have a greater chance of developing hantavirus disease. This includes forestry workers, farmers and trappers, for example. Related: Arizona woman dies from rare rodent-borne virus Causes: Humans can develop hantavirus disease after being exposed to the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents. This can happen if a person rubs their eyes after touching infected urine. A person may also breathe in hantaviruses that have become airborne because someone disrupted debris containing infected animal droppings; this might happen if a person cleans a barn or a cabin, for instance. On rare occasions, people may develop hantavirus disease after being bitten by an infected rodent, Once inside the body, hantaviruses can cause two types of serious infections: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Hantaviruses in Europe, Asia and Africa are more likely to cause the latter disease, while those in the Americas often trigger severe respiratory disease instead. Hantaviruses cannot be spread from person to person; they can only be contracted from infected animals or their bodily fluids and excretions. Symptoms: Symptoms of HFRS usually start to develop within two to four weeks after a person contracts a hantavirus, and they include fever, headache, gastrointestinal issues, kidney dysfunction and, in more serious cases, internal bleeding. The severity of HFRS depends on which hantavirus has caused the infection, with case fatality rates ranging considerably, between 1% and 15%. Meanwhile, symptoms of HPS can take up to eight weeks to emerge. Common early symptoms are fever, chills and fatigue, which can later progress to more deadly organ dysfunction and respiratory issues. Approximately 38% of patients who develop respiratory symptoms of HPS die from the disease. Treatments: There is no cure for hantavirus disease, so treatment usually focuses on managing a patient's symptoms. For instance, doctors may provide a patient breathing support if they have respiratory issues, or dialysis if their kidneys are too damaged to properly filter blood. OTHER RARE DISEASES —This rare bacterial infection triggers pus-filled sores in the lungs and brain —'Fish odor syndrome': A rare metabolic condition that makes sweat smell like rotten fish —What is babesiosis? The parasitic infection that 'eats' your red blood cells To reduce exposure to hantaviruses in the first place, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people eliminate or minimize their contact with wild rodents. They can do this by sealing any holes or gaps in their houses or garages to prevent rodents from entering, or by using traps when rodents have already infiltrated, for example. Recent cases: In February 2025, the American classical pianist and businesswoman Betsy Arakawa, who was also the wife of actor Gene Hackman, reportedly died from HPS.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman's Property Reportedly Filled With Dead Rodents & Nests — Report
A shocking and concerning discovery was made concerning the property owned by the late and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. According to reports, the property was filled with dead rodents. The situation was discovered one week following Gene Hackman's death from heart and Alzheimer's disease. So, here's everything to know about the reports of the Mississippi Burning actor's property being filled with dead rodents. New findings indicate that dead rodents and nests were found scattered across eight detached outbuildings within Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's property. According to a health report obtained by CNN, the New Mexico public health department conducted an environmental risk assessment in March, only a week after Hackman and his wife were found dead. During this assessment, the department found rodent feces in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds. Furthermore, a live rodent, a dead rodent, and a rodent nest were discovered in three detached garages. The property's two vehicles were also found to have included various signs, indicating rodent infestation. These included nests, feces, and sightings of pests. Additionally, live traps were found on the premises. This risk assessment was conducted to ensure the safety of first responders and family members on the property. During the evaluation, the primary residence was discovered to be low-risk, and signs of rodent activity were also not found. However, the other eight buildings within the property were accessible to rodents, as suggested by the report. In February 2025, Betsy Arakawa was discovered to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). It is caused by the Hantavirus, which can be contracted via contact with rodents, rodent feces, saliva, and urine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hantavirus not only causes HPS but also hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Moreover, the CDC reveals that the disease can spread through not only rodent contact, urine, droppings, and saliva, but also through rodent bites or scratches. HPS is spread by the deer mouse, common in the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, HFRS is usually found in Europe and Asia. However, Seoul virus, which is a type of HFRS, is found worldwide, including the United States. Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on The post Gene Hackman's Property Reportedly Filled With Dead Rodents & Nests — Report appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa's Property Filled With Dead Rodents — Report
A shocking and concerning discovery was made concerning the property owned by the late and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. According to reports, the property was filled with dead rodents. The situation was discovered one week following Gene Hackman's death from heart and Alzheimer's disease. So, here's everything to know about the reports of the Mississippi Burning actor's property being filled with dead rodents. New findings indicate that dead rodents and nests were found scattered across eight detached outbuildings within Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's property. According to a health report obtained by CNN, the New Mexico public health department conducted an environmental risk assessment in March, only a week after Hackman and his wife were found dead. During this assessment, the department found rodent feces in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds. Furthermore, a live rodent, a dead rodent, and a rodent nest were discovered in three detached garages. The property's two vehicles were also found to have included various signs, indicating rodent infestation. These included nests, feces, and sightings of pests. Additionally, live traps were found on the premises. This risk assessment was conducted to ensure the safety of first responders and family members on the property. During the evaluation, the primary residence was discovered to be low-risk, and signs of rodent activity were also not found. However, the other eight buildings within the property were accessible to rodents, as suggested by the report. In February 2025, Betsy Arakawa was discovered to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). It is caused by the Hantavirus, which can be contracted via contact with rodents, rodent feces, saliva, and urine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hantavirus not only causes HPS but also hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Moreover, the CDC reveals that the disease can spread through not only rodent contact, urine, droppings, and saliva, but also through rodent bites or scratches. HPS is spread by the deer mouse, common in the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, HFRS is usually found in Europe and Asia. However, Seoul virus, which is a type of HFRS, is found worldwide, including the United States. The post Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa's Property Filled With Dead Rodents — Report appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Truck explodes outside West Quay shopping centre in Southampton
A shopping centre has been closed after a fireball erupted from a truck which caught fire outside its car West Quay centre in Southampton was evacuated and Harbour Parade closed while firefighters tackled the blaze, which started at 09:30 GMT. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) has since confirmed the vehicle contained cylinders that exploded and the fire was accidental. No-one was the eyewitnesses was delivery driver Sheikh Emad Uddin Billal who recorded the explosion on his phone and described the incident as "scary". A police spokesperson added the road had since BBC understands the workmen from the truck were not in the vehicle when it exploded and were instead working truck belongs to a company called Acculine, which specialises in painting line markings on company said the driver was "okay". It added it was unsure of the cause of the explosion, but raised the possibility of an issue with a gas canister. A HFRS statement said: "The fire completely destroyed the vehicle and caused heat and smoke damage to the entrance of the West Quay car park."The fire has been confirmed as accidental, and the scene has now been handed over to the police."We would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during this incident." Describing the moment the truck exploded, Mr Billal told the BBC it was "scary" as he witnessed a man moving towards the truck."I noticed a car on fire with a crowd of people watching. Then I stopped my moped and made a video," he said."Suddenly the explosion happened - nobody knew it was going to happen."As I made the video one guy went to the van and everyone shouted for him to come back. He came back and at that time the explosion happened."West Quay is one of the UK's busiest shopping centres, with more than 17m visitors each year. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
