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Sars: SA man negative
09/04/2003 12:35 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Initial tests conducted to determine if a Pretoria businessman has the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) have come back negative although officials have not ruled out that the man is carrying the virus.
Director of the Institute of Communicable Diseases Dr Barry Schob told journalists in Johannesburg on Wednesday the tests had not been able to isolate the corona virus that probably causes Sars. However, more tests had been conducted.
"The initial tests have come back negative but this does not mean that the patient does not have the disease," Schob said.
The results of the new batch of tests would be available early next week.
"We should know if this is a case of Sars by next week," he said.
Dr Willi Seiling, who is treating the patient at Pretoria East Hospital, said the man was progressing well but was still in a critical condition.
"I am happy to say that the patient is doing much better than he was when he was admitted.
"This is the first case that has been recognised in South Africa and in Africa and has been classified as a probable case of Sars," Schoub said.
The man, 62, who was not identified, returned from Hong Kong last month and was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Monday showing symptoms of the deadly virus, which has killed more than 100 people worldwide and infected almost 3 000.
Two previous suspected cases of Sars in South Africa turned out to be false alarms. - Sapa, AFX
- AFX
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