A small town in California’s Eastern Sierra region is grappling with a tragic and alarming outbreak of hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne virus, which has now been linked to the deaths of three residents in Mammoth Lakes.

This same virus claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman, earlier this year, drawing renewed attention to the disease’s devastating potential.

According to NBC News, public health officials in Mono County confirmed the third death from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Mammoth Lakes on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

The statement described the situation as both “tragic” and “alarming,” noting that the occurrence of three cases in such a short timeframe is highly unusual.

Dr. Tom Boo, a county public health officer, expressed worry about the early timing of these cases, telling NBC News, “The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year.”

Typically, hantavirus cases peak later in the spring and summer, making this outbreak particularly unexpected.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the virus responsible for these deaths is the same one that killed Betsy Arakawa in February 2025.

Arakawa, married to Gene Hackman, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness caused by the virus. While Hackman himself tested negative for hantavirus and later died of unrelated causes—

hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, according to Santa Fe officials cited by NBC News—the connection to Arakawa’s death has heightened awareness of the virus’s presence in the region.

People magazine elaborated on the nature of hantavirus, explaining that it is spread by rodents, primarily deer mice, through their urine, droppings, and saliva.

The Eastern Sierra region, where Mammoth Lakes is located, is known to have a significant deer mouse population.

Dr. Boo noted in the NBC News report that the rodent numbers appear to be higher than usual this year, potentially increasing the risk of human exposure.

“Deer mice are widespread in California’s Eastern Sierra region,” the report stated, underscoring the environmental factors contributing to this outbreak.

The cluster of deaths has sparked concern among residents and officials alike. The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted the rural nature of Mammoth Lakes, a town unaccustomed to such public health crises, and emphasized the shock felt by the community as the virus claimed lives in quick succession.

Meanwhile, People pointed out that while hantavirus cases are rare—typically fewer than 100 are reported annually in the United States—their fatality rate is significant, with HPS proving fatal in about one-third of cases due to its rapid progression and lack of a specific cure.

Public health officials are now urging residents to take precautions, such as avoiding contact with rodent habitats and properly ventilating enclosed spaces where droppings might be present.

The Mono County statement, as cited by NBC News, stressed the importance of awareness, especially given the unexpected early surge in cases.

“Cases of hantavirus are relatively rare but can be devastating,” Santa Fe officials remarked in a press conference reported by NBC News, reflecting on the broader implications of the virus following Arakawa’s death.

The connection to Gene Hackman’s wife has brought a high-profile dimension to this outbreak, amplifying media coverage and public interest.

Betsy Arakawa’s death earlier this year marked a personal tragedy for the Hackman family, and now, with three additional lives lost in Mammoth Lakes, the hantavirus has emerged as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable threats.

As reported across these sources, health authorities are working to monitor the situation closely, hoping to prevent further cases in this rural California community already reeling from loss.