In the first such instance in Tamil Nadu, the Christian Medical College, Vellore, is treating a 38-year-old man, who returned from Malaysia a fortnight ago, for symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Doctors said Ezhumalai, from the neighbouring Thiruvannamalai district, was admitted to the intensive care unit yesterday with high fever, cough, and cold.

His blood and urine samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and 14 of his family members have been quarantined.

Doctors are administering him antibiotics and using special masks for protection.