The sudden death of 26-year-old Rodrigo Becerra has shocked the Mammoth Lakes community and drawn national attention to a rare but deadly virus: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Becerra, a hotel employee at Mammoth Mountain Inn, died on March 6, just three days shy of his 27th birthday, after falling critically ill.
His tragic passing has brought renewed awareness to hantavirus, the same rare virus that recently claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, wife of famed actor Gene Hackman. Despite its rarity, hantavirus is a serious threat that demands vigilance, particularly in areas where rodent populations are present.
Rodrigo Becerra’s Final Days
Rodrigo Becerra had been struggling with flu-like symptoms for about two weeks before his death. On the night before he passed, he sought medical attention at a local hospital.
He was prescribed antibiotics and discharged the same night. Tragically, the next morning, he was found unresponsive and convulsing in his Mammoth Lakes home. Despite efforts by paramedics, Becerra could not be revived.
His sister, Mariela Becerra, expressed deep frustration with how the hospital handled his case. Even though Rodrigo exhibited serious symptoms, doctors did not find sufficient cause to admit him overnight.
They had even ruled out hantavirus, believing his condition was not critical. Mariela pointed out that just because a patient doesn’t recall direct contact with rodents does not mean hantavirus can be dismissed as a cause.
Later reports revealed that Rodrigo’s cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal illness caused by exposure to the droppings, urine, or saliva of infected rodents. Despite no signs of infestation at his employer-provided housing, a small amount of rodent droppings was found behind the front desk and bell area at Mammoth Mountain Inn, where he worked as a bellhop.
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Following Becerra’s death, health investigators inspected his workplace. Although they did not find a widespread rodent infestation, they did find trace amounts of droppings, raising concerns about potential exposure.
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David Andrews, director of health and safety at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, noted that while some droppings were found, officials did not believe they posed a major health risk to employees or guests at the inn.
Hantavirus: A Silent and Deadly Threat
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an infectious disease transmitted primarily through inhalation of air contaminated with the virus from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.
In rare cases, a bite from an infected rodent can also transmit the virus. The disease is particularly deadly, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that about one-third of those infected die from it.
The symptoms of hantavirus infection initially resemble those of the flu: fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. However, the disease can quickly progress to more severe respiratory problems, including fluid buildup in the lungs and difficulty breathing, often leading to death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. The early symptoms can easily be mistaken for more common illnesses, which makes early diagnosis extremely difficult.
Between 1993 and 2022, there were about 865 cases of hantavirus reported in the United States, a relatively small number but still significant considering the high mortality rate. Each year, hantavirus kills between 20 and 50 people across the country. The disease is most common in rural areas, especially where people may come into closer contact with rodent habitats, such as cabins, barns, and construction sites.
Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Gene Hackman, also succumbed to hantavirus in February 2024, only a month before Rodrigo’s death. She contracted the disease at the couple’s home in New Mexico, a region known for hantavirus activity.
Her death brought national media attention to this otherwise rarely discussed illness. With two publicized deaths occurring within such a short period, there is now growing awareness about the dangers posed by rodent-borne diseases, even in seemingly safe environments like hotels and private homes.
Mono County Public Health officials confirmed that three individuals, including Rodrigo, have died from hantavirus this year. In each case, investigators found evidence of rodent presence in their workplaces, although no widespread infestations were noted. Even minimal exposure appears to be enough to transmit the virus, highlighting how dangerous and elusive hantavirus can be.
Calls for Greater Awareness and Vigilance
Rodrigo Becerra’s death has sparked calls for greater vigilance regarding hantavirus risks, especially among employers and healthcare providers. His family hopes that Rodrigo’s story will raise awareness among doctors, who they believe may too quickly dismiss the possibility of hantavirus infection if patients do not report direct contact with rodents.
Medical professionals are being urged to consider hantavirus as a potential diagnosis when patients present with unexplained respiratory symptoms, especially in regions where rodents are common. Given the disease’s rapid progression and high mortality rate, early detection and supportive treatment are crucial.
Additionally, employers, particularly those in rural or mountainous areas where rodents are prevalent, are being called upon to take proactive measures. This includes regular inspections for rodent droppings, prompt remediation of any signs of infestation, and educating employees about the symptoms of hantavirus and the importance of reporting potential rodent exposure.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has pledged to improve their rodent mitigation efforts and increase education for employees about hantavirus risks. However, Rodrigo’s family and others impacted by similar tragedies argue that more must be done. They believe that workers should not have to risk exposure to deadly diseases simply by doing their jobs, and that workplace safety standards must be rigorously enforced to prevent future deaths.
The CDC advises people to minimize their risk of exposure by sealing up holes and gaps in homes and buildings where rodents might enter, trapping rodents around homes, and cleaning up rodent-contaminated areas with proper precautions — including wearing gloves and a mask to prevent inhalation of contaminated dust.
It’s also critical to ventilate areas for at least 30 minutes before cleaning and to avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings, which can aerosolize the virus. Rodrigo Becerra’s story is a painful reminder that even young, healthy individuals are not immune to the dangers posed by rare infectious diseases.
His life was cut short by a silent and invisible threat that could have potentially been avoided with greater awareness and prevention efforts. His family continues to grieve his loss, but they are determined to ensure that his death was not in vain. They hope that increased attention to hantavirus and improved health protocols can save lives in the future.
As communities across the country, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, reflect on this tragedy, it is crucial to remember that nature, while beautiful, can sometimes harbor hidden dangers. With vigilance, education, and proactive safety measures, it is possible to reduce the risks posed by rodent-borne diseases and protect the lives of countless others.
Rodrigo’s memory now serves as a powerful call to action — a reminder that rare doesn’t mean impossible, and that even the smallest signs, like a few rodent droppings, should never be ignored.