Dr. Anthony Fauci Recovering from West Nile Virus Infection

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former US infectious disease expert, is recuperating at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus. Contracted through a mosquito bite, the virus causes severe symptoms in rare cases. Fauci was hospitalized for a week but is expected to fully recover.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease expert, is on the mend at home after a stint in the hospital due to a West Nile virus infection. A spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that Fauci is expected to make a full recovery.

The West Nile virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most infected people show no symptoms, but about 20% can develop fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. In severe cases, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Dr. Jonathan LaPook, CBS News' chief medical correspondent, shared in a social media post that he spoke with Fauci, who believes he was infected from a backyard mosquito bite. Fauci was hospitalized for a week after developing fever, chills, and severe fatigue but is now recovering well.

This ordeal comes after Fauci's prominent role as the chief White House medical adviser during the COVID-19 pandemic, a position that made him a trusted voice and also a target of partisan criticism. Having left government service in 2022, Fauci joined Georgetown University as a distinguished professor last summer.

As of August 20, the CDC reported 216 West Nile virus cases in 33 states this year. Preventative measures largely focus on avoiding mosquito bites, as no vaccines or specific treatments are available for the virus.

(With inputs from agencies.)