Of all the viruses that Dr. Anthony Fauci studied during his decades as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it was West Nile virus that most recently hospitalized him.
Fauci, a former chief medical adviser to the Biden administration, returned home on Saturday, according to a spokesman. “He is expected to make a full recovery,” the statement said.
What is West Nile fever and how is it transmitted?
The virus is spread by mosquitoes, particularly the Culex mosquito.
West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999 and has since become the most common mosquito-borne disease in the country.
The insects become infected by biting a sick bird, which then spreads the virus to humans through another bite.
Cases tend to peak in August and September, after the rainy season. The insects lay their eggs in standing water.
So far this year, 216 cases of West Nile have been reported in 33 states, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease caused neuroinvasive illnesses, including brain inflammation, in 142 of the patients, the CDC reported.
What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
Thousands of people are infected with West Nile virus each year, but the majority do not know they are infected because it does not cause symptoms.
According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 people will experience the following symptoms:
Fever, headache, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea
Symptoms usually appear 3 to 14 days after being bitten.
Serious complications, including meningitis, paralysis and death, can occur, but their incidence is extremely low, around 1 in 150 cases.
People over 60 are at higher risk. Fauci is 83.
How to protect yourself from West Nile fever
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile fever.
Despite growing evidence that mosquitoes are becoming resistant to some insecticides, experts maintain that common repellents such as DEET and picaridin are highly effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay.
Other ways to prevent mosquito bites include:
Wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs. Use air conditioning when possible or make sure open windows and doors have screens. Discard standing water from common areas outside the home where mosquitoes may lay their eggs, such as bird water bowls, flower pots, and toys.
