An El Paso County resident has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first human case in the county this year, local public health officials announced Monday.

People and animals become infected with the virus when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Mosquitos contract the virus when they feed on infected birds.

In Colorado, most human cases of West Nile Virus are reported in August and September, El Paso County health officials said in a news release.

Health officials expect mosquito activity will likely increase in El Paso County over the coming weeks thanks to recent heavy rainfall, they said. Mosquitos breed in standing water.

Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus do not show symptoms. One in five infected people will experience flu-like symptoms, usually beginning two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, officials said in the release.

People who are 60 years old or older, and those with certain medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, have a greater risk of serious illness, El Paso County health officials said.

Fewer than one in 100 infected people will experience serious, potentially deadly neurologic illness. Last month, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported the first person in the state to be hospitalized with neurological symptoms for the 2024

season was infected in Arapahoe County.

State data last updated Aug. 14 shows 13 people across Colorado have been affected by West Nile Virus so far this year.

Last year, El Paso County reported 51 human cases of the virus.

El Paso County Public Health urges people to take the following steps to protect themselves against infection:

• Use an Epa-registered insect repellent like DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• Avoid being outdoors or limit time outside when mosquitos are most active, typically around dusk and dawn.

• Wear loose-fitting, longsleeved shirts and pants outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn.

• Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.

• Frequently drain standing water from areas around the house, like in bird baths, portable pools, tires, planters, pet water dishes and children’s swimming pools. Mosquitos can lay eggs and grow in standing water.

• Treat standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flowerpots, plant saucers, puddles and buckets with larvicide “doughnuts” that use a naturally-occurring type of bacteria to control mosquitos. These larvicides can be purchased at hardware stores.