1st West Nile Virus Death Reported In Illinois

State public health officials say an elderly Logan County man is the first person in Illinois to die of West Nile virus this season.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the death Friday. They say the man was in his 80s and died in mid-August.

The Macon County Health Department says a private lab confirmed the death. The state health department says it is confirming the results.

So far this season West Nile virus has been reported in 57 Illinois counties. The first human case was reported Aug. 21 in McHenry County.

The department also says the first human case of West Nile virus has been reported in southern Illinois.

They say the Jefferson County Health Department confirmed a teen tested positive after becoming sick last month.