Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is recuperating at home following a six-day hospitalization for West Nile virus, according to a spokesperson. The 83-year-old is expected to make a full recovery.
“Tony Fauci has been hospitalized with a case of West Nile virus. He is now home and is recovering. A full recovery is expected,” the spokesperson informed news outlets.
Fauci, who retired from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2022 after gaining prominence for his role in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, currently serves as a distinguished professor at Georgetown University’s School of Medicine.
Despite his retirement, Fauci remains a prominent figure in public health discussions. In June, House Republicans held a contentious hearing where they accused Fauci of obscuring the origins of Covid-19. Fauci dismissed these allegations as "simply preposterous," and disclosed that he and his family continue to receive death threats. In 2022, a man was sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening Fauci and his family.
West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. While 80% of those infected with the virus do not show symptoms, about 20% experience fever and other symptoms such as body aches, diarrhea, and rash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that approximately 1,000 Americans are hospitalized each year due to the virus.
There is no specific vaccine or treatment for West Nile virus, and the CDC recommends preventive measures such as using insect repellent to avoid infection. The virus is most commonly spread during the warmer months of summer and early fall.
A recent study found that nearly 20% of blood samples from hospital patients in 2020 and 2021 contained antibodies for West Nile virus, highlighting the virus's prevalence in the population.
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