What is West Nile, the virus that sent Dr. Anthony Fauci to the hospital?

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. This is the peak time of year to become infected.

Of all of the viruses that Dr. Anthony Fauci studied during his decades serving as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it was West Nile that landed him in the hospital recently.

Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to the Biden administration, was home on Saturday, according to his spokesperson. “A full recovery is expected,” the statement read.

What is West Nile, and how are people infected?

It’s mosquitoes — particularly Culex mosquitoes — that spread the virus.Since West Nile was first detected in the U.S. in 1999, it’s become the most common mosquito-borne illness in the country.

The bugs become infected when they bite sick birds, then spread the virus to people through another bite.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/west-nile-virus-fauci-hospital-symptoms-rcna168074

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