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.

According to a report published by the Daily Mail on Thursday, March 13, Hackman left his $80 million fortune to his late wife and successor trustee, Betsy Arakawa, whose death preceded his by one week. It’s unclear if anyone else’s names were listed in Hackman’s will.

Gene Hackman died of cardiovascular disease about a week after his wife died of hantavirus, according to the New Mexico medical examiner.

Investigation revealed that Betsy Arakawa, a pianist and wife of actor Gene Hackman, had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease.

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

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.