Suspected Midlands SARS case discounted

A suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the Midlands has been discounted, it was confirmed today.

A spokeswoman for the Midlands Health Board said the man was "greatly improved" and it was now safe to say he was not suffering from the mystery illness that has killed at least 15 people across 11 countries.

The man, thought to be in his forties, had checked himself into the hospital in Portlaoise on Saturday. He had recently returned from southeast Asia, where the syndrome is believed to have originated.

A second man, who was described as having a "probable" case of SARS at the weekend, is said to be "improving" in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar. It has not yet been established whether or not he has the virus.

Samples from the two men were sent to the virus reference laboratory in Dublin.