Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. - An elderly Rancho Palos Verdes man has died after contracting West Nile virus.

Seven Californians have died of the mosquito-borne disease this year.

The Los Angeles County West Vector Control District says the Rancho Palos Verdes man, whose name is being withheld, was hospitalized with encephalitis and he died Oct. 10.

It is not clear where the victim was when he contracted the virus, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and can cause encephalitis, meningitis, fever and sometimes death, especially in elderly people or those with immune deficiencies.

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