Anthony Fauci, one of America’s foremost infectious disease experts, was hospitalized this month for six days after contracting West Nile virus before returning home, according to his spokesperson.
In a statement, the spokesperson said: “Tony Fauci has been hospitalized with a case of West Nile virus. He is now home and is recovering. A full recovery is expected.”
Fauci, aged 83, served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) from 1984 to 2022 and was a prominent figure in advising the Donald Trump administration on its response to the coronavirus pandemic. He was later appointed as chief medical advisor to the president by President Joe Biden, serving in the role between January 2021 and December 2022.
When he left the NIAID, Fauci was praised by President Biden, who said: “I’ve been able to call him at any hour of the day for his advice as we’ve tackled this once-in-a-generation pandemic. His commitment to the work is unwavering, and he does it with an unparalleled spirit, energy, and scientific integrity.” Fauci was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008 by President George W. Bush.
The advice he gave during the pandemic made Fauci a controversial figure with some on