Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the U.S. coronavirus pandemic response, is speaking out about his “terrifying” bout with West Nile virus (WNV) in August.

In an op-ed in The New York Times on Monday, the former top infectious-disease official, now 83, wrote that he believes he caught the virus from a mosquito bite while outdoors at his Washington home.

He chalked up his weakness and fatigue to lingering COVID symptoms at first, until he “became delirious and incoherent with a temperature of 103 degrees,” leading to a six-day hospitalization.

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“After I spent more than 50 years chasing and fighting viruses, one fought back and nearly took me down,” Fauci wrote.

“There is no treatment for West Nile virus disease, and I was left to deal with its toll on my body.”

He described the experience as “terrifying” and “harrowing.”

“A very scary part of the ordeal was the effect on my cognition,” Fauci said. 

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“I was disoriented, unable to remember certain words, asking questions of my family that I should have known answers to.”

“I was afraid that I would never recover and return to normal.”

Fauci has since recovered, stating that the cognitive symptoms have subsided and he is now walking several miles each day.

“I was afraid that I would never recover and return to normal.”

“I tell my story because West Nile virus is a disease that, for many people, can have devastating and permanent consequences,” he wrote.

In the op-ed, Fauci called for more resources to address the threat of West Nile, which can have “devastating and permanent consequences.”

What to know about West Nile virus

As of Oct. 8, there have been 976 West Nile virus cases in the U.S. across 46 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Among those, 684 cases were neuroinvasive (severe).

Since the West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country.

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In most cases, the West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, per the CDC’s website.

“I tell my story because West Nile virus is a disease that, for many people, can have devastating and permanent consequences,” Fauci wrote. (CBS)

The virus is not transmitted through eating or handling infected animals or birds — nor is it spread through physical contact, coughing or sneezing.

A vast majority — around 80% — of the people who contract the virus will not experience any symptoms, the CDC states on its website.

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“It causes a rash and other symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes, which other viruses in its class do not exhibit,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital.

“It only affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.”

Around one in five people will develop febrile illness, which is marked by a fever along with body aches, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting. 

The virus only affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal.

These symptoms usually go away on their own, but some people may have lingering weakness and fatigue months after infection.

In rare cases — about one in every 150 infected people — the virus can lead to serious conditions affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.

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Those who develop serious illness may experience headache, stiff neck, high fever, disorientation, vision loss, muscle weakness, convulsions, tremors, coma or paralysis, which occur when there is viral infection of the central nervous system.

Among people who have this invasive form of the illness, around 10% will die.

It affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal, statistics show.

Since the West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country. (iStock)

While anyone can potentially develop severe illness, the highest-risk groups include those over 60 years of age, people who have had organ transplants and those with diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease, immune disorders and other certain medical conditions.

“The virus’ effects can be quite serious in the elderly,” Siegel noted.

Diagnosis and treatment

Those who think they might have been infected with WNV should be assessed by a health care provider, the CDC states.

Diagnosis of the infection can be made based on evaluation of symptoms, recent exposure to mosquitoes and testing of blood or spinal fluid.

The most effective means of prevention is to protect against mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and taking steps to control exposure to mosquitoes. (iStock)

Health care providers will typically recommend treating symptoms with over-the-counter pain medications and getting plenty of rest and fluids.

Those who experience severe illness may need to be hospitalized for supportive care.

Preventing the virus

There is currently no vaccine for West Nile virus.

“The virus can be contained through public health measures including more insect repellent with DEET, longer sleeves and less stagnant water in our backyards,” Siegel said.

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Trying to kill adult mosquitoes by spreading too much insecticide can be problematic, the doctor warned. 

“Animals, people with asthma and insects that would otherwise kill the mosquitoes are affected.”

The most effective means of prevention is to protect against mosquito bites, the CDC confirmed.

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The agency’s recommendations include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and taking steps to control exposure to mosquitoes — particularly at dawn and dusk.

Eliminating any standing water outdoors can help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Melania Trump is speaking out about previous rumors that her son, Barron Trump, has autism.

In her memoir, “Melania,” which was published on Oct. 8, the former first lady writes about her son being bullied after comedian Rosie O’Donnell tweeted about him appearing to have autism.

In the tweet, which was later deleted, O’Donnell wrote, “Barron Trump autistic? If so, what an amazing opportunity to bring attention to the AUTISM epidemic.”

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O’Donnell also shared a 2016 video of Barron Trump at the Republican National Convention.

In the viral video, which has also since been deleted, the creator had added captions implying that the boy, who was 10 at the time, had autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“I was appalled by such cruelty,” Melania Trump writes in the book. “It was clear to me that she was not interested in raising awareness about autism. I felt that she was attacking my son because she didn’t like my husband.”

“There is nothing shameful about autism (though O’Donnell’s tweet implied that there was), but Barron is not autistic,” she added.

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“Barron’s experience of being bullied both online and in real life following the incident is a clear indication of the irreparable damage caused.”

The former first lady also described the experience as “devastating.”

“It felt like my heart was breaking into pieces.”

Rumors of Barron Trump having autism were sparked by a 2016 video of him at the Republican National Convention. (Getty Images)

The memoir, “Melania,” is published by Skyhorse Publishing and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

Dr. Agnesa Papazyan, aka Dr. Aggie, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles specializing in autism and neurodiversity, spoke with Fox News Digital about the potential harms of someone publicly suggesting that someone has autism.

“Speculating publicly about diagnoses such as ASD also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”

“Publicly speculating about whether someone has autism based solely on how they act, talk or behave can have negative implications — not only on the individual, but also the broader autism community,” she said. 

“It makes the individual feel judged, misunderstood, excluded and stigmatized against.”

“Publicly speculating about whether someone has autism based solely on how they act, talk or behave can have negative implications — not only on the individual, but also the broader autism community,” an expert said.  (Getty Images)

Even when the speculation is well-intentioned, speculating can frame the person’s behaviors or ways of communicating as abnormal or “weird,” or as something that needs a label, Dr. Aggie cautioned.

“Speculating publicly about diagnoses such as ASD also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”

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Given the complexity of the autism spectrum, Dr. Aggie emphasized that diagnoses should only be made by trained professionals — “not through social media, by a friend or by strangers on the internet.”

“Making assumptions about others based on surface-level observations can lead to misdiagnosis, which not only impacts the person in question, but can also add to misconceptions about autism itself,” she noted. 

“I was appalled by such cruelty,” Melania Trump writes in her new memoir, referring to the rumors about her son having autism spectrum disorder. (Sunday Morning Futures)

“This can also lead to unfair treatment of the individual and create unnecessary barriers or judgments in their personal and professional life.”

The doctor also emphasized that autism symptoms vary widely from person to person.

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“The spectrum nature of autism means that some individuals may be highly verbal and have exceptional cognitive abilities, while others may have significant communication or sensory challenges,” she said. 

“This variation is especially pronounced among children, as developmental milestones can differ widely.”

Experts referred to speculations about autism symptoms as “reckless.”  (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Nechama Sorscher, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City, agreed that these types of claims can be harmful.

“Speculating that someone has autism is similar to insinuating that someone has physical or mental health challenges without clear evidence,” she said. 

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“Simply put, it’s reckless.”

Nearly one in every four students reports being bullied, according to Sorscher.

Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can vary widely from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. (iStock)

“Being a kid is already difficult enough, but for Barron, he is in the national spotlight and subjected to constant scrutiny,” she said. 

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“A rumor like having autism could certainly have created a very difficult environment for him.”

More than 60% of children and young adults with autism experience bullying, Sorscher pointed out. 

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“Whether or not you actually have autism, this type of bullying behavior could lead to negative mood and self-image, changes in sleeping patterns, a decline in school performance and so much more.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Melania Trump’s and O’Donnell’s representatives requesting comment.

Born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, Peri Finkelstein has never let her disorder define her.

Instead, the 24-year-old New Yorker has used her challenges as a springboard to make the world a better place, completing 12 half-marathons to raise funds for charity.

In January 2024, Finkelstein’s nonprofit organization — the Team Peri Foundation — exceeded the $1 million fundraising milestone for its Chai Lifeline project, which offers support to families following an illness diagnosis or trauma.

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Making an impact

Muscular dystrophy is a group of more than 30 genetic conditions that affect the functioning of the muscles, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Finkelstein’s form of the condition, called nemaline rod myopathy, causes severe muscle weakness and affects her speech and mobility. 

Despite her physical limitations, she was inspired to start doing half-marathons in 2010 when her mother and brother began running them for charity.

“After watching everybody do the race and cheering from the sidelines, I knew that I wanted to make more of an impact,” she said during an interview with Fox News Digital. 

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For the first few years, Finkelstein’s mother pushed her in a jogging stroller with all the necessary medical equipment secured to the bottom.

Then, in 2016, Finkelstein decided it was time to stand up and walk a few steps over the finish line using her walker, with the help of her physical therapist and her parents.

Finkelstein heads toward the finish line of a half-marathon in Miami, Florida, in February 2024. (Team Peri Foundation)

“At that moment, it felt as if I could do anything that I put my mind to,” she said. 

“It was a defining moment, when I realized the only person who could get in my way was myself — and that it was up to me to change my life.”

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In subsequent races, those initial steps turned into walking more than 1,000 steps, then a mile, and then a mile and a half, forwards and backwards across the finish line.

After several years of pushing that “extra mile,” Finkelstein experienced medical challenges in 2022 that made her unable to compete.

“It never dawned on me that part of my life would be over,” she said. 

“You have to push yourself to the limit for each mile marker, as nothing will ever come easily.”

“Once I officially lost that part of myself, I realized that I couldn’t allow this setback to get to me — I knew that I had to keep moving.”

Instead of competing physically, Finkelstein now funnels her energy into her foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Finkelstein’s form of muscular dystrophy, nemaline rod myopathy, causes severe muscle weakness and affects her speech and mobility. “Not every day is all rainbows and sunshine,” she said. (Claudio Papapietro)

“Since I was 8 years old, my dream was to launch a nonprofit organization of my own,” she said.

“The same mindset that I used to prepare both physically and mentally for a race is what I carry into my daily life as an entrepreneur.”

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The Team Peri Foundation strives to make the world a “more connected and inclusive place for all,” Finkelstein said, with the mission to “educate others on the power of inclusion and to disrupt the stereotypical views revolving around disability.”

‘Not all rainbows and sunshine’

While Finkelstein strives to stay positive and focus on her goals, she acknowledges that her day-to-day life isn’t always easy.

Finkelstein’s family and friends support her during a half-marathon in Miami. (Team Peri Foundation)

“Not every day is all rainbows and sunshine — some days are harder than others, to the point where severe migraines, fatigue and pain keep me from doing what I have to do,” she said. 

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Finkelstein undergoes different forms of therapy multiple times a week, has frequent doctor’s appointments and is “always in pain,” she shared.

Her social media posts highlight the highs and lows.

Finkelstein is pictured with her parents, Paul and Lori Finkelstein, on the day her foundation hit the $1 million fundraising mark in January 2024. (Team Peri Foundation)

“My hope is that by sharing bits and pieces of my world — portraying all the different sides of me, whether it’s rather dark or filled with light — I can portray that people with disabilities can live a full life and step out of line in ways that can change the course of their future,” she said. 

To other people living with a disabling condition, Finkelstein advises them, “Use your rareness to your advantage.”

“My time is precious and I still have a lot more to accomplish.”

“Growing up, I would give anything to blend in and become invisible, as being ‘different’ put a lot of labels on me that caused me to be bullied severely by students and teachers alike,” she said.

“But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s OK to be rare.”

Finkelstein is pictured with her siblings, Katy Finkelstein (right) and Joel Finkelstein, in January 2024. She credits her family with supporting her through all her endeavors. (Barbara Quagliardi)

Life itself can be compared to the dozen half-marathons she has competed in, according to Finkelstein.

“You have to push yourself to the limit for each mile marker, as nothing will ever come easily,” she said.

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“All the pain, traumas and setbacks are what enable you to keep going and keep hustling.”

“You have to power through the pain, because there is no other option.”

Future goals

Since hitting the $1 million milestone, Finkelstein and her foundation have launched new projects, including a scholarship fund in partnership with Adelphi University, where she earned her MBA in marketing.

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She also works to boost awareness and education through speaking engagements, social media and podcasting, and hosts various fundraising events throughout the year.

Finkelstein plans to write and publish a memoir to share her life’s journey with the world. 

“It’s always in the back of my mind that I cannot wait to live my life — because of physical disability and medical challenges, it could be cut short,” Finkelstein said. (Team Peri Foundation)

“While I used to be an athlete, I am still just as competitive and am somewhat of an overachiever in the real world,” Finkelstein said. 

The entrepreneur is also acutely aware that life is short.

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“It’s always in the back of my mind that I cannot wait to live my life — because of physical disability and medical challenges, it could be cut short,” she said.

“My time is precious, and I still have a lot more to accomplish.”

A growing number of kindergarten children are starting school without vaccinations due to rising exemptions, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vaccination rates among kindergarteners decreased during the 2023-2024 school year for all reported vaccines, the agency said. 

Exemption rates from one or more vaccines rose to 3.3%, an increase from 3.0% in the prior year, the CDC stated.

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Vaccination coverage is currently at 92.7% for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Approximately 127,000 children in the U.S. started kindergarten with exemptions from one or more vaccines last year.

The exemption increase was reported in 40 states and Washington, D.C. 

Fourteen states saw exemption rates exceeding 5%.

Vaccine exemption policies

Students are required by law to get certain vaccines in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

All states allow medical exemptions for students who cannot get vaccines for health reasons, the same source said.

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Some states (30 states and Washington, D.C.) also allow exemptions for religious reasons, and another 13 states will grant exemptions for religious and personal reasons.

Five states (California, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Maine) do not grant any non-medical exemptions, per the NCSL.

‘Worrisome trend’

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, called the rising exemptions a “worrisome trend.”

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“It’s fueled in part by a growing politicization and fear of vaccines, a hugely important public health tool,” he told Fox News Digital. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s vaccination rates were at 95%, a number that provides “herd immunity,” according to the doctor. 

Students are required by law to get certain vaccines in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

“That’s particularly important with a virus such as measles, which is the most contagious virus on the planet,” Siegel said.

“There will be increasing outbreaks of measles, polio, chicken pox and other dangerous viruses if the vaccine rate continues to drop.”

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In terms of whether the influx of migrant students into the U.S. factors into the rise of vaccine exemptions, Siegel said that “could be a small part of it.”

“Anyone who comes into the school system unvaccinated (including migrants) increases the chance of disease resurgence,” he said.

“Vaccine hesitancy” exists all over the world but is “especially a problem” in Europe and the U.S., according to an infectious disease expert. (iStock)

Dr. Edward Liu, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, noted that “vaccine hesitancy” exists all over the world — but that it is “especially a problem” in Europe and the United States. 

“Anyone who comes into the school system unvaccinated (including migrants) increases the chance of disease resurgence.”

“Since school systems allow for opt-out options for vaccination of their students, schools will have more problems with vaccine-preventable illnesses, like chickenpox, measles, mumps and flu, increasing the potential for isolated outbreaks,” he told Fox News Digital. 

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“The only way to deal with this is to educate parents, and also limit vaccine exemptions in schools, which may mean stricter state mandates,” he advised. 

“Otherwise, local schools will be under pressure to relax their vaccine requirements.”

A faith leader and rabbi based in Plantation, Florida shared thoughts about the status and well-being of the Jewish people this week as Yom Kippur approaches — the holiest day of the year for Jews amid the High Holiday season and one offering “a profound sense of reflection and hope.”

Rabbi Pinchas Taylor said in comments to Fox News Digital, “Amid the pain and uncertainty, there is an opportunity for something beautiful to emerge — a deeper, more forged renewal. The story of Yom Kippur reminds us that from brokenness comes the possibility of a greater, stronger restoration.”

On Oct. 7, 2023, one year ago, “Israel faced a brutal and senseless assault that brought pain and heartache to countless families,” he said. 

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“One year later, we are also reminded of the incredible resilience that lies within the Jewish people,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“Yom Kippur emphasizes this theme — that from brokenness, there is always a path toward healing and enhanced restoration.”

He noted that Yom Kippur — which begins this year on the evening of Oct. 11 — is not only “a day of atonement but a celebration of the possibility of starting over. It marks the moment when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets after the first set had been broken.”

Said Taylor, “Think about that. A people who had sinned, who had fallen, whose covenantal symbol had been broken were given a new chance, a renewed covenant.”

“Within all the brokenness of life, we are not beyond repair.”

In Jewish tradition, “the quality of the second tablets is considered to be superior to the first, in that while the first tablets were a divine gift from above, the second set incorporated an ‘awakening from below,’ the human spirit of repentance, return and resilience.”

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So, he said, this is a reminder that “within all the brokenness of life, we are not beyond repair — and that there is a divine invitation to pick up the pieces and build something even better.”

Taylor said that beyond “the pain of loss,” there is the “strength of a people who refuse to give in to despair.”

College campuses braced for an influx of new anti-Israel protests as the Oct. 7 anniversary approached. “Oct. 7 will not be the end of our story,” said a Florida-based rabbi and faith leader.   (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU; ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP; Leon Neal via Getty)

He said that in this context, “Yom Kippur’s message becomes even more powerful. It’s a day when we can take the broken pieces of our lives, the shattered remains of our dreams, and hold them up to God, knowing that we are not alone.”

He added, “The same God who guided Moses back down the mountain with a new set of tablets, a new path forward, is ready to guide us, too.”

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Said Taylor, “Even in the darkest times, there is always a light — a hope that cannot be extinguished, that from all brokenness emerges brilliance, breakthrough and blessing.”

Rabbi Pinchas Taylor told Fox News Digital, “This Yom Kippur, even as we remember the pain of October 7th, we can lift our eyes to the future with a renewed sense of purpose.” (Rabbi Pinchas Taylor)

He also said October 7th “will not be the end of our story.”

Instead, “it is a chapter, a season, a moment in time that reminds us how much we need each other, how much we need faith — and how much we need hope.”

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Taylor said, “This Yom Kippur, even as we remember the pain of October 7th, we can lift our eyes to the future with a renewed sense of purpose. It’s a future where we are stronger, more compassionate and more united. A future where the brokenness of yesterday has given way to the brilliance of a new dawn,” he added. 

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“Through the grace of God, we can take the shattered pieces of our past and build a new story — a story of hope, of strength and of renewal.”

The 2023 attack by Hamas terrorists resulted in the deaths of roughly 1,200 people. Hundreds of others were taken to Gaza as hostages, according to widespread reporting. Roughly 100 hostages still remain in Gaza, according to reports, and it is believed that fewer than 70 of them are alive, said the Associated Press.