His wife, 65, likely died about a week before him of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease often spread by rodents in the Southwest. She was last known alive on Feb. 11, investigators said.

Authorities said on Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease days after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. But what exactly is this rare illness?

Officials said Friday that Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome last month in the couple’s home in New Mexico. Hantavirus ...

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.