Who is most at risk for getting severe West Nile virus disease from being bitten by an infected mosquito?
Anyone who is infected can potentially develop severe West Nile virus disease (e.g. encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis). However, persons older than 50 have the highest risk of becoming severely ill. There is also increasing evidence that immunocompromised persons (e.g., people who are taking immunosuppressive medications such as prednisone, or people who have received organ transplants) are at higher risk for severe West Nile virus disease.
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