STERLING, Colo. -- A northeast Colorado resident has contracted West Nile virus, the first human case in that part of the state his year, officials from the Northeast Colorado Health Department said.

The victim is 51 and lives in Logan County. He was recovering Thursday.

"We never know exactly what this virus will do from year to year but we do know that as the summer months begin, mosquitoes are more active," said Julie McCaleb, NCHD’s environmental health director. "We currently have six mosquito traps set up throughout Sterling and we’re trapping mosquitoes twice a week. Those mosquitoes are sent in to the state lab to be tested for West Nile virus. Although we haven’t had a positive mosquito pool yet, the virus is obviously circulating."

West Nile is usually transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, which can pick it up from birds they bite.

Only about one in five infected people get sick. One in 150 infected people will develop severe symptoms including neck stiffness, disorientation, coma and paralysis.

At least 345 people contracted West Nile in Colorado last year, including at least seven who died.

The worst-recorded season in Colorado for West Nile was 2003, with nearly 3,000 cases of West Nile. The prime time for the virus is typically during July and August.

John Pape, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Health, said, "We're starting to see high numbers at testing sites of the culex mosquito. Right now indicators suggest we may have an active year."

He added that health officials are hoping this season won't see as many cases as 2003 did.