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# West Nile virus poses risk only to those with certain medical conditions.
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/west_nile_virus_0823120723/
- Published: 2012-08-23T08:18:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:20:50.000Z
- Description: Among 1,090 West Nile virus cases from 2008 through 2010, CDC researchers found chronic kidney disease, a cancer history, alcohol abuse, diabetes and hypertension each raised the odds of severe illness, kidney disease most of all. Only hypertension was tied to meningitis risk.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PHD

Thursday Aug 23, 2012 ([foodconsumer.org](http://www.foodconsumer.org/)) -- If you are an avid reader, you might have known west nile virus reports are spreading to everywhere to deliver a scary message, west nile virus is dangerous. But the fact is, not every one has to die or suffer severe illness from exposure to west nile virus. In most cases, this virus does not pose any risk. Only a very small number of people who had certain medical conditions are at higher risk of complications from west nile virus infection such as hospitalization, death, encephalitis and meningitis, according to a new study.

The study led by Nicole P. Lindsey of Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues found people who had chronic kidney disease, history of cancer, history of alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were at much higher risk for severe illnesses resulting from west nile virus infection.

The researchers studied 1,090 cases of west nile virus infection including hospitalization, death, encephalitis and meningitis during the period from 2008 through 2010\. Of the patients, 708 patients or 65% of the total were hospitalized, 641 or 59 percent had neuroinvasive disease and 55 or 5% died.

Statistical analysis showed that people had chronic renal disease, history of cancer, history of alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were 310%, 270%, 200%, 120% and 50 percent more likely to suffer severe illness induced by west nile virus infection, respectively, compared to those who did not have these medical conditions.

All the medical conditions were independently associated with increased risk for encephalitis in patients who exposed themselves to west nile virus. But only those who had hypertension were at higher risk for meningitis. At death risk were only those who had their immune system suppressed or compromised such as patients who had history of cancer and received cancer treatment, which suppresses immunity.

The researchers suggested that "prevention messages should be targeted to persons with these conditions."

The study was sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.