Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson says

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, spent time in the hospital after being infected with West Nile virus and is now recovering at home, a spokesperson confirmed Saturday.
Fauci is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
West Nile virus is commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people don’t experience symptoms, about 1 in 5 can develop a fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
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Both Dallas and Denton counties have reported at least one death each from the West Nile virus this year. Dallas County has reported two other cases of West Nile virus this year.
Denton County reported its third human case of West Nile virus on Friday. The community member lives in Lake Dallas and was diagnosed with West Nile virus non-neuroinvasive disease. To protect patient confidentiality, no further personal information will be released.
CBS News’ chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, wrote in a social media post that he spoke Saturday with Fauci, who said he was likely infected from a mosquito bite that he got in his backyard.
“Dr. Fauci was hospitalized about ten days ago after developing fever, chills, and severe fatigue,” the post on X said. It said Fauci spent a week in the hospital.
As chief White House medical adviser, Fauci was the public face of the U.S. government during the COVID-19 pandemic, a role that made him both a trusted voice to millions and also the target of partisan anger. He left the government in 2022.
Fauci last summer joined the faculty at Georgetown University as a distinguished university professor.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the CDC. Less than 1% of people who contract the virus develop severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a condition that can lead to death or long-term disability.
There are no vaccines to prevent West Nile, or medicines to treat it.
Dallas County officials recommend residents practice the four Ds — DEET, dress, drain and dusk to dawn — to combat the rise of mosquito-borne illness. These practices advise people to use insect repellants that contain DEET or other EPA-approved repellants, wear long and loose clothing, drain standing water and avoid going outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitos are most active.
Dallas Morning News staff members contributed to this report.