Rare virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife linked to 3 deaths in California town
Public health officials in California confirmed that three people in the town of Mammoth Lakes have died from hantavirus, the same virus that killed actor Gene Hackman’s wife in February.
Public health officials in California confirmed that three people in the town of Mammoth Lakes have died from hantavirus, the same virus that killed actor Gene Hackman’s wife in February.
In a statement released Thursday, health officials in Mono County reported a third death from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the rural town in the state's Eastern Sierra region, calling the situation “tragic” and “alarming.”
Hantavirus is a relatively rare virus spread by rodents — typically mice — to humans from the animals’ urine, droppings and saliva.
“The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year,” Dr. Tom Boo, a county public health officer, said in a statement.
Boo said hantavirus cases are usually seen later in the spring and summer.
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