The National Institute of Health (NIH) in South Korea on Tuesday announced one confirmed case of SARS, the first known domestic case of infection. Along with two additional suspected cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) reported Monday, the total number of suspected SARS patients rose to 15.

The health agency also said it categorized two men who returned from Beijing as suspected SARS cases earlier in the day. The agency added they have been hospitalized for further examinations due to a high fever and coughing.

The Japanese citizen categorized as a suspected SARS case over the weekend, is expected to be evacuated to Japan, as he has shown no further symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, the NIH said it has decided to exclude Vietnam from the list of potential areas at risk of a SARS epidemic following the decision by the World Health Organization.