A bird has tested positive for West Nile virus in Douglas County. The first positive test for a bird in Illinois for 2024.
The specimen was collected on April 2 in Villa Grove.
The Illinois Department of Public Health says the early report of the first bird comes following a mild winter and spring.
Last year, 67 Illinois counties reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, and/or human case, up from 44 counties in 2022.
Last year, there were 119 human cases of West Nile virus and six deaths reported in Illinois, according to provisional data, compared to 33 human cases and seven deaths in 2022.
IDPH notes human cases are underreported and do not reflect the actual number of cases.
