his home this month.

The possibility was accepted by Dr. Keith Cunningham, pathologist at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

But he said the death of 28-year-old P.c. Troy William James should not trigger fears about any virus.

There was no evidence the Island was in the grip of a dangerous epidemic.

He stressed: "There is no need for people to get alarmed.'' P.c. James' body was discovered at his Valley Heights Road apartment in Devonshire on January 19.

The parish constable, who two weeks earlier rescued a colleague from a Court Street mob, had not shown up for work.

One source told The Royal Gazette P.c. James, a bachelor, may have suffered a heart attack.

Just five days later 31-year-old soccer player and Gombey drummer Mr. Lawrence (Stickers) Hendrickson Jr. also collapsed and died.

But there was nothing to prove Mr. Hendrickson had a virus, said Dr.

Cunningham.

Rumours about both men having suffered from a virus have been circulating this week. Referring to P.c. James, Dr. Cunningham said: "I think we can say one of the recent sudden deaths did appear to be from a viral infection.'' He added there were viruses which attacked different organs, such as the liver and heart.

Even people without previous liver and heart problems could be affected.

"We have got to keep things in proportion, however. High cholesterol is a bigger cause of heart problems.'' Dr. Cunningham said it appeared there was a lot of flu in Bermuda at present.

He urged those with more than the normal flu symptoms to consult a doctor. It could signal a viral infection.

"Rest is the cure,'' he said.

Earlier this month, doctors were keen to quell anxiety about an influenza epidemic in Bermuda.

Family practitioner Dr. Niall Aitken said there were often many flu cases at this time of year.

Fears have mounted because of the flu epidemic throughout the United States.

Deaths from flu and pneumonia have reportedly been on the increase.