Patient cleared of having 'SARS' virus

A man who was admitted to hospital suspected to be suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) does not have the virus, it tonight emerged.

The man in his 40s – who had just returned from the Far East – was being treated in isolation at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise after he showed signs of the highly-contagious disease.

Health officials tonight confirmed he was not suffering from SARS.

Another man admitted to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar with symptoms of the virus was tonight said to be “stable and improving“.

The man had returned from Hong Kong where he had stayed in the same hotel as another man who was later confirmed as having the condition.

The symptoms of SARS are a temperature of more than 38C, flu-like symptoms and a cough.

People travelling to affected areas in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Guandong Province in China are being advised to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice if they become ill during their trip or within 10 days of leaving the area.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre is investigating suspected cases of SARS in Ireland.