Are children and infants at greater risk for severe West Nile virus disease?
Although anyone who is infected can potentially develop severe West Nile virus disease (e.g. encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis), persons older than 50 have the highest risk of becoming severely ill. Children and infants, however, can develop serious disease from West Nile virus. In 2002 and 2003, more than 200 children under age 19 years in the US were reported with West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. Recent evidence suggests that babies born to mothers with West Nile virus infection during pregnancy may be infected with West Nile virus themselves. However, it is unknown how often this occurs, and what the effects of West Nile virus infection may be on the fetus and newborn infant. Also, there is one case of probable transmission of West Nile virus to a newborn via breast milk; in this one case, which occurred in 2002, the baby has remained completely healthy.
