Panaji: As Goa reported the first confirmed case of killer respiratory disease Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in India, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 17 said blood and other samples of the patient would be sent to National Institute Of Communicable Diseases (NICD) on April 18 for a second opinion.

"The blood, serum, throat swab and urine samples of 32-year-old marine engineer Prasheel Varde will be sent to NICD on April 18 for a second opinion," Parrikar said at a hurriedly called press conference.

"Since the samples which have been tested positive were taken on April 11, almost six days ago, further testing in all probability is required," the Chief Minister said.

The patient was not suffering from any clinical symptoms of SARS, Parrikar said. "He appears to be hale and hearty. He is perfectly normal."

"It would appear, therefore, that while the patient does have a positive laboratory test, there is a mis-match between clinical findings and laboratory findings, and to the best of our knowledge, as at present, no other person has been infected," Parrikar said.

"It is, therefore, not possible to say with full certainty that the patient has SARS."

As a measure of abundant precaution, the government has consciously decided to release the name of the patient in the public interest, so that any one who had come in contact with him should get alerted regarding symptoms of SARS, the Chief Minister said.

Varde had a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which was not considered a high fever when he was admitted to Goa medical college hospital (GMCH) on April 10, to which he was referred by a private doctor, Parrikar said.

He had no other signs or symptoms of SARS as laid down by the World health Organisation (WHO), which are cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing, he said.

Health Minister Dr Suresh Amonkar was also present at the press conference.

PTI