Dr. Anthony Fauci recently landed in the hospital due to West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness that he has studied extensively during his career. West Nile is spread by Culex mosquitoes, which become infected by biting sick birds and then spread the virus to humans through another bite. Cases tend to peak in August and September, following rainy seasons, with 216 human cases reported in 33 states so far this year. Most people infected with West Nile do not develop symptoms, but those that do may experience fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious complications like meningitis, paralysis, and death are rare but can occur, particularly in people over 60. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile, so it is essential to protect oneself by using common repellents like DEET and picaridin, wearing protective clothing, using air conditioning when possible, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Despite concerns about insecticide resistance in Culex mosquitoes, experts maintain that these preventive measures are effective in reducing the risk of West Nile infection.
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