Research shows that nearly 40% of organ transplant recipients with West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis succumb to the illness, with 1298 neuroinvasive cases and 129 annual deaths recorded from 2014 to 2023. WNV stands as the primary cause of mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with about 80% of infections asymptomatic and 20% leading to West Nile fever. The review highlights significant mortality rates in vulnerable populations, the long-term effects of neuroinvasive disease, and the need for effective prevention strategies, given the lack of approved treatments.

Source: JAMA