Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has tested positive for West Nile virus. The virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fauci, 83, was hospitalized before he returned home where he is now recovering.
Fauci was the former director of the National Institution of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and was a leading figure on both former President Trump and President Biden's coronavirus response teams. Before his retirement, he had worked for over 50 years in the American public health sector, advising every president since former President Reagan.
The nation’s former top infectious-disease official is expected to make a full recovery from the virus. The virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, and it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country, per the CDC.
More than 200 cases have been reported across 33 states this year, as we enter the peak of West Nile season. Cases tend to peak in August and September, often following rainy seasons. The bugs lay eggs in standing water.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of West Nile virus can include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, although a vast majority — around 80% — of the people who contract WNV will not experience any symptoms. There are no vaccines or treatments for the virus.
How West Nile Spreads
In most cases, the virus is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, per the CDC’s website. More than 1,800 people were hospitalized with the virus last year in the U.S., leading to 182 deaths, per CDC data.
Fauci's Public Profile
Fauci was a regular guest on cable news, primetime television, late-night shows and podcasts, offering his medical advice throughout the pandemic. Over time, he became a politically divisive figure on the left and right regarding issues such as masks, lockdown policies and the origins of COVID-19.
Famously, he sparred with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., in committee hearings over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether his department within the National Institute of Health funded gain-of-function research. Paul has claimed that government officials from 15 federal agencies knew in 2018 that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was trying to create a coronavirus like COVID-19. These officials, Paul says, knew that the Chinese lab was proposing to create a COVID 19-like virus and not one of those officials revealed this scheme to the public.
West Nile Virus: A Growing Threat
Although West Nile is a relatively new illness in the U.S., the CDC has reported more than 40,000 cases of West Nile virus disease since 1999. These cases have resulted in more than 1,700 deaths. The virus is considered to be a serious public health concern, and the CDC recommends taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
Fauci's Recovery
Fauci is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesperson said, but it is still a reminder that West Nile virus can be a serious illness, even for those who are otherwise healthy. The CDC recommends taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, to protect yourself and your family from this virus.
A Reminder of the Importance of Public Health
Fauci’s hospitalization is a reminder of the importance of public health measures, such as mosquito control, and the need to be aware of the risks posed by emerging diseases. As the former director of the NIAID, Fauci has dedicated his life to protecting public health. His recent illness is a reminder of the importance of his work and the ongoing need to be vigilant about the threats posed by infectious diseases.
