Betsy Arakawa, the wife of the late Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, New Mexico officials said Friday.

Authorities say hantavirus is blamed in the death of Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa. The rare virus is spread by contact with rodents or their urine or feces.

Hantavirus explained after Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa’s death was confirmed by chief medical examiner Dr Heather Jarrell at a press conference.