Fauci Recovering At Home After Contracting West Nile Virus
Former top immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci is currently recuperating at home after being briefly hospitalized late last week due to contracting the West Nile Virus, a potentially deadly disease.
Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, is expected to make a full recovery, as confirmed by a spokesperson.
The virus is known to thrive in temperate regions where mosquitoes, its primary vectors, are most active. In the United States, the peak season for the virus occurs in August and September. According to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of August 20, there have been 216 reported cases across 33 states, including 142 cases affecting the nervous system, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Each year, approximately 1,000 Americans require hospitalization due to the severe form of West Nile virus, which is spread through mosquito bites. On average, another 1,500 cases are diagnosed when symptoms develop, although experts believe up to 80% of infections go undetected.
There is currently no vaccine available for West Nile virus. Most cases present with mild symptoms, such as flu-like conditions and a rash. However, in about 1 in 150 cases, the virus can impact the brain and nervous system, potentially leading to complications like brain swelling, brain damage, or even death. Around 100 people die from West Nile virus infections annually in the U.S.
At 83, Fauci has continued to face criticism from Republicans over allegations that his department funded research in China related to coronaviruses, including COVID-19, which caused a global pandemic, killing tens of thousands in the U.S. alone.
In January, Fauci made some startling admissions during closed-door testimony before a House committee, possibly adding momentum to efforts by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders to hold him accountable.
According to The Federalist, Fauci “faced tough questions from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic,” and his responses “confirmed many of the worst fears of those in the medical community who spoke out during his reign of terror.”
The report further noted that while Fauci’s 14 hours of testimony occurred in private, “the subcommittee provided an overview of the most salient points” and promised to release a full transcript of his remarks soon.
The committee highlighted three key statements from Fauci and suggested how these issues should be addressed in the future.
“First, Fauci admitted that Covid-19 policies were not grounded in science, confessing that the six feet of social distancing, ‘sort of just appeared.’ Anyone who was ordered to stand an arbitrary distance apart on a jet bridge only to be packed into a plane face to jowl had reached this commonsense conclusion long ago,” The Federalist reported.
This admission marked a significant reversal for Fauci, who had consistently assured Americans during the pandemic that he was “following the science.” The report also compared this to his earlier retraction on the efficacy of wearing masks.
The second major admission involved Covid vaccine mandates. “During his congressional testimony, Fauci finally conceded that Covid vaccine mandates could make people more broadly vaccine-hesitant,” The Federalist noted. “Using the levers of government to force citizens to take an untested vaccine rushed to market under the banner of ‘warp speed’ was never a wise idea. Accusing dissenters of ‘spreading misinformation’ and subjecting them to loss of livelihood and mass ridicule compounded the error.”
Lastly, The Federalist reported:
Lastly, Fauci still refuses to accept accountability for his mistakes. He said he’s still “not convinced” lockdowns hurt kids, despite children suffering an “unprecedented drop in performance” in math and reading scores. According to the federal government, reading test scores among nine-year-olds fell to their lowest point in 30 years, while math scores fell for the first time ever. No one expects perfection from their leaders, but the stubborn refusal to look in the mirror and take responsibility is more than just arrogant — it’s harmful for the ability to fix the problem.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has regularly accused Fauci of lying to Congress about funding gain-of-function research at a lab in Wuhan, China, and has called for his prosecution.