By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - The McLean County Health Department has confirmed the county's first human case of West Nile Virus since 2007.

Department spokeswoman Kera Simon said Tuesday a 73-year-old Bloomington man was tested positive earlier this month after being hospitalized.

So far, five birds have tested positive for WNV in the county.

"It's not spread from person to person. We're very thankful for that," Simon said. "West Nile Virus is strictly spread through infected mosquitoes and they get it from the birds."

She said the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed the positive case on Monday.

49 Illinois counties have reported WNV cases, including 1,230 human cases and three deaths. Nationwide, there have been 3,142 human cases and 134 deaths.

"This is actually a very high level of activity in the county," Simon said.

West Nile Virus season usually runs into October.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul.morello@cumulus.com.