Former U.S. Infectious Disease Chief Anthony Fauci Contracts West Nile Virus

Washington: Former U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, was hospitalized after he contracted the West Nile virus. He was in hospital for a week, said sources.

He is now recovering at home and is expected to fully recover, according to his spokesperson. Fauci, 83, likely contracted the virus from a mosquito bite in his backyard, leading to symptoms like fever, chills, and severe fatigue.

He served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for nearly four decades before retiring in 2022. The West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness, is common in the U.S., with 216 cases reported in 33 states this year. While most people show no symptoms, it can cause severe neurological illness in rare cases.