UPDATED: 1:02 pm PDT August 23, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- An 85-year-old Los Angeles County man remains hospitalized in San Diego Thursday with West Nile virus, but county health officials said he did not contract the mosquito-borne illness locally.

According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, the man is in stable condition.

He became ill shortly after coming to San Diego County in early August, and was later hospitalized, according to the HHSA.

"The man was admitted to a local hospital and subsequently diagnosed with meningitis and encephalopathy, prompting tests for West Nile virus and other causes," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.

Although the disease was not contracted locally, it is the first confirmed case of West Nile virus reported in San Diego County this year, according to the HHSA

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