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West Nile virus belongs to a family of viruses called "flaviviridae" that can infect humans, birds, horses and mosquitoes. West Nile virus is closely related to the viruses that cause Dengue fever, Yellow fever and St. Louis encephalitis. The evidence shows that most people infected with West Nile virus got it from the bite of an infected mosquito. While persons of any age or health status can be at risk of developing serious health effects from West Nile virus, the overall risk of serious health effects increases with age. People with weaker immune systems are also considered to be at greater risk for serious health effects. It remains that West Nile Virus is usually acquired in an outdoor setting during mosquito season which in Canada can be from Mid-April to October.
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