Two Sabres possibly exposed to SARS

Sunday, March 30, 2003 From <a href=www2.ocregister.com>OCRegister news services

Two Buffalo Sabres players were under observation Saturday after possibly being exposed to a mysterious and potentially deadly respiratory illness.

Defensemen Rhett Warrener and Brian Campbell, who played in the Sabres' 4-1 victory over Montreal on Friday, did not travel with the team for its game at Carolina on Saturday.

Erie County (N.Y.) Health Commissioner Anthony Billittier recommended the players remain isolated - but not quarantined - for 10 days, effectively ending their season because the Sabres play their last game April 6.

Team spokesman Mike Gilbert said the decision to hold the players back was a precaution, and that neither has shown any signs of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. It was determined that there was what Gilbert called "a remote chance" that the players had limited exposure to the virus after a female relative of Campbell's visited them Monday. The players are roommates.

The relative, who lives in Toronto, was exposed at her job as a hospital worker in Ontario and was hospitalized after showing symptoms Friday, Billittier said.

Warrener said he and Campbell were feeling well and were not very concerned.