CHICAGO, Oct 02, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Illinois public health officials reported two more deaths from West Nile virus Wednesday, bringing the toll to 35, nearly a third of the 125 deaths confirmed by federal officials nationwide.

Fifteen new human cases of the mosquito-borne disease brought the state's caseload to 614. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has confirmed 2,530 West Nile cases but had not updated the latest Illinois figures.

The most recent deaths were a Fulton County woman who died on Sept. 27 and a Chicago woman who died Monday. Seven of the West Nile fatalities have been in the Chicago area, where mosquito-abatement spraying began last month, and 15 from suburban areas in Cook County. The infected ranged in age from 3 months to 97 years.

In Michigan, officials said spinal fluid taken from a Newaygo County resident who died in mid-September tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the state's death toll to 24 of 370 cases.

Ohio had 288 confirmed cases and 12 deaths so far this year and Louisiana 287 cases with 14 fatalities. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals updates its West Nile cases Thursday.