Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease expert, was hospitalized for nearly a week after being infected with the West Nile virus and is now recovering at home. According to his spokesperson, Dr. Fauci is expected to make a full recovery.
“Tony Fauci has been hospitalized with a case of West Nile virus. He is now home and recovering. He is expected to make a full recovery,” a spokesperson said in a statement Saturday.
according to Washington Post, He apparently contracted the illness from a mosquito bite in his backyard and was hospitalized for a week with fever, chills, and extreme fatigue.
Dr Fauci, 83, was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades before retiring in 2022. He emerged as the key public figure leading the US government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing guidance, expertise and reassurance to the nation during a time of unprecedented crisis.
After stepping down from government service, Dr. Fauci took on a new role as a university professor at Georgetown University last summer.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a viral infection that mainly affects birds, but can also be spread to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is named after the West Nile region of Uganda, where it was first identified in 1937. While some people may have flu-like symptoms, in rare cases, it can be fatal and affect your brain or spinal cord.
It is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, typically spreading during the summer and fall months when mosquito activity is at its peak. According to the CDC, about 216 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in 33 states this year.
Most people who become infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms, but about 20% may develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
In rare cases, the virus can cause serious illness, including inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, leading to potentially fatal conditions such as encephalitis or meningitis.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile.
