Who is at risk for infection with West Nile virus?
People who live where West Nile virus has been found in humans, birds, horses or mosquitoes are at risk for infection. (See the box below for a list of states in the U.S. that have had the most reported cases of West Nile virus infection.) You are also at a greater risk if you spend lots of time outdoors during the warmer months or if you don’t protect your skin with an insect repellent that contains DEET. However, even in areas where the virus has been reported, it’s very unlikely that a person will get sick from a mosquito bite. People 50 years of age and older and people who have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of becoming severely ill from West Nile virus. Remember, less than 1% of the people who do get infected with West Nile become severely ill.
