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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the U.S. coronavirus response, was hospitalized earlier this month with West Nile virus (WNV), according to a report citing his spokesperson.
The Washington Post reports that Fauci, 83, spent six days in the hospital before returning home to recover. The former top infectious disease official is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the CDC, WNV, primarily spread by infected mosquito bites, has been the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. since its introduction in 1999. While most people infected with WNV—about 80%—show no symptoms, those who do may experience fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. There are currently no vaccines or treatments for the virus.
WNV typically spreads when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and transmit the virus to humans and other animals. According to the CDC, more than 1,800 people were hospitalized with the virus in the U.S. last year, resulting in 182 deaths.
Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was the controversial leader behind COVID-19 response teams under both former President Trump and President Biden. Before retiring, he had a 50-year career in public health, advising every president since Ronald Reagan.
BREAKING: Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus. pic.twitter.com/m1KEILd28Z
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) August 24, 2024
Anthony Fauci was hospitalized for West Nile Virus… now in recovery
Remember when he experimented on Beagles by covering their heads and allowing mosquitoes to eat at them?
Seems fitting… pic.twitter.com/JOfcC1j0o2
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) August 24, 2024
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