Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was recently hospitalized for six days after contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness. The 83-year-old, who has long been a prominent figure in public health, is now recovering at home, according to a spokesperson, as reported by The Washington Post.
“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 said.
West Nile virus (WNV) can be serious, particularly for the elderly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fatality rate for those with neuroinvasive WNV is around 10%. However, the majority of people infected with WNV—about 80%—don’t develop any symptoms. Of those who do experience symptoms, around 20% have mild symptoms and typically recover fully, though fatigue and weakness can persist for weeks or months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for WNV in humans.
In addition to his recent health scare, Fauci also contracted COVID-19 last month, despite being vaccinated and boosted six times. In a video interview with Dr. Jeremy Faust on July 30, Fauci revealed that it was his third COVID-19 infection. “I got infected about two weeks ago,” Fauci said. “It was my third COVID-19 infection, and I had been vaccinated and boosted a total of six times.”