Virus that killed Hackman’s wife said to kill 3 in one town

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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.

The latest death was the third from hantavirus in Mammoth Lakes since early February, the county health and human services division said. The deceased was a young adult, but Boo said health officials do not yet know how the person was infected.

“The home had no evidence of mouse activity,” he said. “We observed some mice in the workplace, which is not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes. We haven’t identified any other activities in the weeks before illness that would have increased this person’s exposure to mice or their droppings.”

Deer mice are widespread in California's Eastern Sierra region, but Boo said their numbers are thought to be higher than normal this year, which could increase the risk of exposure to hantavirus.

Boo said there have been no indications so far that the three people who died engaged in activities typically linked to hantavirus exposure, such as cleaning out areas with mouse droppings or with poor indoor ventilation.

He said people should be vigilant and careful about the presence of mice, and should exercise particular caution around the animals’ droppings.

“We’ve now gone about a month without any additional suspect cases, but remain concerned about the increase in activity,” Boo said