Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, was hospitalized after contracting West Nile virus but is now recovering at home, a spokesperson confirmed over the weekend. Fauci is expected to fully recover from this viral infection, which is primarily spread through mosquito bites. Most people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms, but some can experience fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms. Approximately 1 out of 150 infected individuals develop severe and potentially fatal illness.
CBS News’ chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, shared on social media that Fauci believes he contracted the virus from a mosquito bite in his backyard. Fauci was hospitalized for a week after experiencing symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. Despite leaving his role as chief White House medical adviser in 2022, Fauci continues to play a significant role in public health, recently testifying before Congress on COVID-19 origins. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus, with prevention through mosquito bite avoidance being key.