The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) said Tuesday a bird discovered in Bloomington has tested positive for West Nile virus.
The department said the bird was found in the 61704 zip code that covers south and east Bloomington.
Health department staff members have been going door-to-door to homes in the surrounding area to provide information about how to prevent West Nile.
This is the first bird to test positive for West Nile this year, but health officials said the seasonal drop in temperatures has not removed the risk of contracting the mosquito-borne illness.
West Nile virus infections typically occur from midsummer to early fall, but mosquitoes that carry the disease can be present from mid-April through October, the department said.
MCHD announced earlier this montha mosquito pool collected east of Bloomington tested positive for the virus.
The department said the public can limit its exposure to West Nile virus by keeping skin covered with long pants and long-sleeved shirts, making sure windows and doors have screens to keep mosquitos from entering and removing sources of standing water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The department said West Nile virus can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, though cases are rare. Mild cases can cause a fever or headache, but severe cases can lead to paralysis or death, particularly among high-risk populations.
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