(Rightallegiance.com) – Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and a key figure in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed in an interview with CBS News that he is recovering at home after a recent hospitalization due to West Nile virus.
Fauci, who has dedicated decades to public health, was admitted to the hospital approximately ten days ago after experiencing severe symptoms, including fever, chills, and extreme fatigue.
Fauci, now recuperating at home, shared that he was discharged from the hospital three days ago and is on the path to a full recovery.
The West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease, is the leading cause of such illnesses in the continental United States, particularly during the summer and fall months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the virus is primarily spread through mosquito bites. Fauci suspects he contracted the virus from a mosquito in his own backyard.
The CDC emphasizes that there are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available for West Nile virus. However, most individuals infected do not exhibit symptoms. Approximately one in five people who contract the virus develop fever and other related symptoms, while about one in 150 may experience severe, potentially fatal, complications.
This year, the CDC has reported 216 cases of West Nile virus across 33 states. The rise in mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, has drawn attention to other similar diseases such as dengue fever. U.S. health officials have recently issued warnings to healthcare providers to remain vigilant for dengue, as international cases surge to record levels.
Puerto Rico, along with several Latin American countries, is facing an epidemic of dengue. Additionally, localized transmission of the virus has been observed in several U.S. states, including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, and California.