North Dakota has reported its third West Nile virus-related death this year. Health officials say the victim was a man older than 60 from southwestern North Dakota with other medical problems.

The man's name and home town were not released. Michelle Feist, the state Health Department's West Nile virus surveillance coordinator, said the case follows the same pattern as the others - the victims were men older than 60 with health problems.

Dr. Terry Dwelle, the state health officer, said it is a reminder that everyone - especially older people - should make sure they wear insect repellent and protective clothing when they go outside. The West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes.

The latest Health Department figures show North Dakota has 352 confirmed human West Nile cases, and three deaths. Feist said the totals are the highest since 2003, when the state reported 617 cases and five deaths. Last year at this time, the department reported 133 cases and one death.

Feist said the number of cases this year actually peaked in mid-August - meaning that was when people started getting sick, she said. During one week, the department confirmed the onset of more than 50 cases, she said.

"It wouldn't be unheard of if we'd see someone getting infected in October, but typically we don't see many cases," she said.

The latest reported death was a man who "has been sick for a while," she said. The date of his death was not released.

"This year, we started seeing cases pretty early in the season," Feist said. "In the past few years, we usually have seen only one, maybe two cases in June."

Feist said birds are a reservoir for the virus, and the number of cases may depend on how many birds are infected.

"This year, the species of mosquito that transmits it - we saw numbers earlier on than we did in the past," she said.

Through early Tuesday, a total of about 2,800 cases of the West Nile virus were reported nationwide, Feist said. Colorado was leading with more than 450 cases.

In North Dakota, the latest numbers show Burleigh County with 54 human West Nile cases this week, followed by Cass County with 47.

"The cooler weather reduces the risk of infection, but until a hard frost gets rid of the mosquitoes, people should continue to take precautions, Feist said.