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(Reuters) – Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent figure in U.S. infectious disease management, is on the mend after being hospitalized due to West Nile virus, which he contracted from mosquito bites. Fauci informed Stat News about his condition on Saturday, revealing that he was hospitalized for nearly a week.
At the age of 83, Fauci has been a key player in public health discussions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he became widely recognized for his leadership and expertise. He concluded a distinguished career at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in December 2022, after dedicating 54 years to the organization, including 38 years as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
In his interview with Stat News, Fauci detailed how he spent six days in the hospital beginning August 16, as medical professionals sought to identify the cause of his symptoms, which included weakness, fever, and chills. Eventually, he was diagnosed with West Nile virus. He expressed the severity of his illness, stating, “I’ve never been as sick in my life.”
Although there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available for West Nile virus, which is primarily spread through infected mosquitoes, health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported around 2,500 cases in the U.S. last year, resulting in 182 fatalities.
Dr. Fauci remains optimistic about his recovery, noting that it may take some time before he fully regains his strength and returns to normal activities, according to Stat.
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