New Delhi, March 8 -- Betsy Arakawa, the wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome a few days before her husband passed away from heart disease. New Mexico state and local officials confirmed that she had contracted the virus, making her one of the rare fatal cases in the region. The CDC has offered to test samples to determine the specific strain of hantavirus that led to her illness.

Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Hollywood legend actor Gene Hackman, tragically passed away due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal disease. Hackman was found dead at their Santa Fe home on February 26, alongside her husband, who passed away days later from heart disease.

New Mexico officials co...