Footballer dies from rare rodent virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife | World | News
22-year-old Matías Uribe Nova was a promising football player (Image: Jam Press)
A promising football player has died after contracting a rare rodent virus. Matías Uribe Nova, 22, volunteered to help people affected by wildfire when he contracted hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
The rare disease is carried by rodents, and last year Betsy Arakawa, wife of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, died. The amateur footballer was admitted to a hospital in Chile with symptoms before his condition rapidly deteriorated. Initially suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, fever and headache, Matías underwent tests and an x-ray, which revealed he had hantavirus.
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Matías had a heart attack (Image: Jam Press)
After being admitted to emergency care, Matías’ condition worsened and the young man suffered a heart attack before being transferred to a larger hospital.
Despite all the efforts of paramedics, Matías could not be saved.
Matías’ football club, Deportivo Juventud Iberia, paid tribute to the player: “Matías never showed a bad expression, never got angry, had a big heart and a light that seemed to come from a special place.
“He was truly remarkable, he touched so many hearts and today everyone understands how deeply he touched everyone.
“When the fires broke out, it was clear that he was one of the first people to go to help, supporting those affected at his beloved club and even people he didn’t know.
“He went to help without asking for details, giving everything he had, really everything, even his life to the extreme.
“Although it may be hard to comprehend now, Matias gave his life for the people who needed it most during this disaster, and God will reward him and his family forever.
“Fly high, dear Mati. We will always remember you.”
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The virus passes through rodents (Image: Getty)
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses normally carried by rodents such as rats, mice and voles.
They are found all over the world and cause a variety of diseases in humans, ranging from mild flu-like illnesses to severe respiratory diseases or hemorrhagic diseases with kidney involvement.
Old World hantaviruses (those found in Europe, Asia, and Africa) cause bleeding and kidney disease, while new world hantaviruses tend to cause severe respiratory diseases.
Each hantavirus is specific to a different rodent host. Once infected, the rodent will excrete infectious virus for long periods of time, possibly for life.
Transmission of the virus to humans occurs through inhalation of infected animal feces and fluids such as urine, feces and saliva.
To help reduce the risk of infection, simple hygiene measures should be followed, such as washing your hands after handling mice or their bedding and cages.
