An adult in Lafayette is the first human death of West Nile virus in Colorado this year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

In the United States, there have been 45 human cases of West Nile virus spread across 15 states this year. While putting his hand in a cage full of mosquitoes, MSU Denver biology professor Robert Hancock said there are increased numbers of positive mosquito pools.

Colorado recorded its first human death of the year from West Nile virus on Friday. The case was in an adult from Lafayette. That's according to the state health department and Boulder County Public Health, in a press release.