Man admitted to hospital may have mystery bug

A MAN suspected of suffering from a mystery bug that has killed nine people in three continents was being treated last night in a Dublin hospital.

Health officials confirmed the man was admitted to hospital after showing symptoms of the flu-like illness, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The bug, a potentially lethal form of pneumonia, has already struck in south-east Asia, Europe and North America.

"A person who recently returned on a flight from south-east Asia has shown mild symptoms similar to those of the disease, but is otherwise well and is continuing to receive treatment," the Department of Health, the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) and the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) said in a joint statement.

The ERHA's Department of Public Health is investigating the case and will closely monitor the situation in co-operation with the hospital and the NDSC.

The investigation follows a health alert issued by the World Health Organisation following outbreaks of SARS in south China, Hong Kong and Canada.

The NDSC has warned that anyone suffering symptoms fever, aching muscles, headache, sore throat and shortness of breath within 10 days of returning from affected areas should contact a doctor.

Meanwhile, Limerick Regional Hospital yesterday played down fears that a six-month-old baby girl was suffering from the virus. The infant, who was on a flight from France to the US, was rushed to hospital after an emergency landing at Shannon airport.

Delta flight 29 made a medical diversion to Shannon just after 2.30pm yesterday after the infant fell ill. A spokesman for the hospital confirmed the infant was being treated for respiratory problems but said there was no reason to believe she had contracted SARS.

Suspected cases of the bug have been identified in four European countries. The condition of a 64-year-old British man, admitted to a Manchester hospital suffering from similar symptoms of an illness, is said to be improving.

"The speed of international travel creates a risk of rapid spread to additional areas," a WHO spokesperson said yesterday.

Minister Micheál Martin has set up an expert group to monitor the situation and to advise him of any further measures which may need to be taken. It meets for the first time today.