Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus, spokesman says

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, spent time in the hospital after being infected with the West Nile virus and is now recovering at home, a spokesman confirmed Saturday.

Fauci is expected to make a full recovery, said the spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.

West Nile virus is often transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people experience no symptoms, about 1 in 5 people may develop fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 150 infected people develops severe, sometimes fatal illness.

Both Dallas and Denton counties have reported at least one death from West Nile virus this year. Dallas County has reported two additional cases of West Nile virus this year.

Denton County reported its third human case of West Nile virus on Friday. The community member lives in Lake Dallas and has been diagnosed with non-neuroinvasive West Nile virus disease. To protect the confidentiality of patient data, no further personal information will be released.

CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jonathan LaPook wrote in a social media post that he spoke with Fauci on Saturday, who said he likely contracted the infection from a mosquito bite in his yard.

“Dr. Fauci was hospitalized approximately 10 days ago after developing fever, chills, and severe fatigue,” the post on X said, adding that Fauci spent a week in the hospital.

As the White House's top medical adviser, Fauci was the public face of the U.S. government during the COVID-19 pandemic. That role made him both a trusted voice for millions and a target of partisan anger. He left the administration in 2022.

Fauci joined the faculty of Georgetown University last summer as a distinguished university professor.

According to the CDC, West Nile virus is the most common cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Less than 1% of people who become infected with the virus develop severe neuroinvasive West Nile disease, a condition that can result in death or long-term disability.

There are no vaccines to prevent West Nile virus, nor are there any medications to treat it.

Dallas County authorities recommend that residents follow the four Ds — DEET, clothing, drainage and dusk to dawn — to counter the increase in mosquito-borne diseases. These practices advise people to use insect repellent containing DEET or other EPA-approved repellents, wear long and loose clothing, drain standing water and avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

Dallas Morning News staff contributed to this report.