Public health officials said it was “strikingly unusual” to have three hantavirus deaths this early in the year.

Hantavirus, the disease that caused the death of Betsy Arakawa, actor Gene Hackman’s wife, has claimed the lives of three people in California. Experts weigh in on the deadly virus.

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.

Rare hantavirus linked to Gene Hackman’s wife’s death claims 3 more lives in California, officials warn public of ...