An 80-year-old Baltimore man, who was briefly admitted to Sinai Hospital this month after signs of confusion and fatigue, is Maryland's first case of West Nile virus this year, state health officials have concluded.

Doctors suspected that the unidentified man, who lives in the 2200 block of Linden Ave. near Druid Hill Park, had the virus, but the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did not confirm the diagnosis until Friday.

West Nile virus has been blamed for at least 16 deaths across the country this year. Last year, six cases were reported in Maryland. Three of the victims died.