BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The state Health Department says there were 369 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in North Dakota last year, and three deaths.

Michelle Feist, the department's West Nile virus expert, says the number of cases in 2007 is the second-highest ever recorded. There were 617 documented human cases in the state and five deaths in 2003.

Feist says it's hard to say why there were so many cases of the mosquito-borne virus last year. She says it might be that conditions were optimal, or that people are more aware of the virus and more apt to get checked out by a doctor when they're feeling sick.

Burleigh County led the state last year with 55 confirmed cases, followed by Cass County with 49.