Leading US scientist Anthony Fauci hospitalized for West Nile virus, now recovering at home

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, was hospitalized for about a week after being infected with West Nile virus and is now recovering at home. According to his spokesman, Dr. Fauci is expected to make a full recovery.

“Tony Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus. He is now at home recovering and is expected to make a full recovery,” a spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

According to the Washington Post, He likely contracted the disease from a mosquito bite in his backyard and spent a week in the hospital after developing fever, chills and severe fatigue.

Dr. Fauci, 83, served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades before retiring in 2022. He became the prominent public figure who led the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance, expertise and reassurance to the nation at a time of unprecedented crisis.

After retiring from government service, Dr. Fauci took up a new position as a university professor at Georgetown University last summer.

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can also be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is named after the West Nile region of Uganda, where it was first discovered in 1937. 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, and typically spreads during the summer and fall months when mosquito activity is at its highest. 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 experience any symptoms. However, about 20% may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

In rare cases, the virus can cause serious illness such as inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, leading to potentially fatal conditions such as encephalitis or meningitis.

There is no vaccination or specific treatment against the West Nile virus.