A male patient in Letterkenny General Hospital was being treated as a suspect SARS case last night.
The patient, according to the North Western Health Board (NWHB), fitted the World Health Organisation's definition of a "suspect case of SARS".
This would mean he presented with a high temperature and a cough or breathing difficulties and had recent close contact with a person with SARS or recently travelled to a SARS-affected area.
The health board's CEO, Mr Pat Harvey, confirmed isolation procedures were put in place to treat the patient.
"The individual concerned is in a very comfortable condition. However, in order to protect patient confidentiality it will be understood that it would be wholly inappropriate for us to make any further reference to him," the health board said in a statement.
"Expert medical advice is that this patient is extremely unlikely to have the condition. However, measures have been put in place on a purely precautionary basis," it added.
The health board sought the advice of striking public health doctors on managing the case over the weekend and they left the picket line to help.
"A small number of individuals requiring direct information have been contacted.
"For any member of the public seeking information, the CEO has stated that they can do so by contacting the NWHB 24 hour helpline (1850 200 521) or the Department of Health national helpline (1800 454 500)," the statement added.
To date the State has had several suspect SARS cases but only one probable case.