Are pregnant women at greater risk?
There is no evidence that pregnant women or their babies are at increased risk
from the virus.
Can West Nile Virus make my pet sick?
There has been one confirmed case of a cat dying from West Nile Virus. Dogs
seem to be immune.
What proportion of people with severe West Nile Virus die?
First, remember that of those people infected with West Nile virus, fewer than
1% become severely ill. Case fatality rates range from 3% to 15% (3 to 15 out
of 100,000) among those with severe illness due to West Nile Virus.
If I live in an area where birds or mosquitoes with West Nile Virus have
been reported and a mosquito bites me, am I likely to get sick?
No, even in areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes -
much less than 1% - are infected. If the mosquito is infected, less than 1%
of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances
you will become severely ill from any one-mosquito bite are extremely small.
Is there a vaccine for West Nile Virus?
No, there is not a vaccine for humans, but several companies are working on one. There is however a vaccine for horses. If you are concerned about your horses, please contact your veterinarian.