Officials in Weld County, Colorado are raising the concern that the flooding which devastated Colorado could lead to a major outbreak of West Nile Virus.

Weather forecasts are calling for hot weather and that could speed up the growing process for mosquitoes that transmit the disease. The eggs could mature into an adult in just a week.

Health officials say around 100 cases of West Nile have been reported this year and one person has died from the virus. Symptoms of the virus appear 3 to 14 days after exposure and are similar to cold or flu symptoms in the initial stages including fever and body aches.

The floods have left many areas of standing water that are prime breeding grounds for mosquitos.

Officials have also said the death toll held at 8 people overnight while the number of missing people has been lowered by hundreds. Early damage estimates show 19,000 homes damaged or destroyed.