The death of a Pakistani youth who returned from South Africa recently was not a case of SARS virus, as had been reported by newspapers on 14 April 2003.

This was clarified by the admitting physician at Aga Khan University Hospital. She said that the patient had no symptoms of pneumonia and presented with liver failure and bleeding. The patient was isolated and specific precautionary measures were taken because of suspicion of viral hemorrhagic fever, and not SARS. Results of blood tests for Congo Crimean hemorrhagic fever are awaited.

The Hospital kept the patient's family fully informed. As per AKUH practice, all confirmed notifiable diseases are always reported to the relevant authorities. This case was not reported because it was neither confirmed for SARS nor viral hemorrhagic fever.