The number of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus is surging in northern Colorado.

A record number mosquitoes in Boulder, Weld and Larimer counties have tested positive for the disease, sister station KCNC reports. Officials said 90 percent of the mosquitoes trapped last week have the potential for carrying the disease -- compared to just 10 percent last year.

The virus also hit Colorado earlier than normal this season, with the state's first case confirmed in early July.

Since, as 11 News reported last week, 12 other cases have followed. One person has died from the virus in Colorado this summer.

The virus is present in fewer counties than in previous years, but extremely active in the counties where it has been found. El Paso County is among the 14 counties that have had people, animals or mosquito pools test positive for West Nile.

Zika's had all the headlines this year, but state health officials say West Nile is what Coloradans should be concerned with.

“This is a virus that can be deadly to people. It is here. We’re not going to get rid of it. We know it’s here, it is in our bird population. And unfortunately, every summer, we do see cases," Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment spokesperson Jennifer House told KCNC.