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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffYour overall risk of getting West Nile virus depends on these factors:
- Time of year. In temperate regions, West Nile virus follows a seasonal pattern starting in early spring, with the peak time for infection occurring in late summer and early fall. If you live in southern climates, you may run the risk of infection year-round.
- Geographic region. Visiting or living in areas of the country where mosquito-borne viruses are common increases your risk of exposure to West Nile virus. But West Nile virus has been reported in all 48 contiguous states, including desert regions such as Arizona.
- Time spent outside. If you work or spend time outdoors, you have a greater chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Even if you are infected, your risk of developing a serious West Nile virus-related illness is extremely small — less than 1 percent of people who are bitten become severely ill. And most people who do become sick recover fully. You're more likely to develop a severe or fatal infection if you:
- Are an adult over the age of 50
- Have a weakened immune system, such as from receiving an organ transplant
