Health Department officials spent the day yesterday trying to get to the bottom of reports that a Bermudian woman in Toronto had been affected by the SARS virus.

The woman was expected to fly back to the Island yesterday but called her employer to say that she had been experiencing SARS-like symptoms, according to some reports.

Yesterday Health Minister Nelson Bascome confirmed his department was looking into the matter.

Canadian health officials had been contacted, he said.

Airlines serving Bermuda were asked to conduct the necessary assessments before allowing her to fly, he said.

And the Health department contacted the woman's family on the Island to make sure she gets tested and treated before coming back to Bermuda.

As of presstime last night the Department had not made direct contact with the woman.

"We're still trying to contact the individual to find out exactly what her symptoms are and if indeed she's got the SARS virus," Mr. Bascome said. "If so they'll hold her in Canada."

First detected late last year, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is believed to have originated in southern China. Symptoms are similar to the flu with a higher fever. It is treatable if detected early enough. The World Health Organisation reported yesterday that the epidemic appeared to have already peaked in some countries, including Canada and Hong Kong.