PHUKET: Phuket medical authorities have opted to take a cautious approach over the mysterious death of a British man who was recently in Africa, not far from the countries now in the grip of an ebola outbreak.

Although the likelihood of a connection to ebola is remote, Phuket doctors are taking no chances.

The man was found dead in a Patong condo on Thursday after residents noted a strange smell emanating from the second-floor balcony, where a sliding door was ajar.

Now the body has been formally identified as Clark Martin John Roberts, 68, who flew in from Nigeria on October 7.

Doctors say his death was ''not natural.'' The condo appeared to have been ransacked.

However the man died, there is only moderate concern in Nigeria about ebola. Nigeria became the second West African country to be declared free from the ebola virus this past Monday.

The man was believed to have died between three and five days before his body was found. He was lying face down on a floor, bleeding from his nose and his mouth.

Officials from Patong Hospital, police and the Kusoldharm Foundation are now seeking further information about the case.

It was thought at first that the body may have been a caretaker named Sam, but it turned out to be the man believed to be the owner of the condo.

He had collapsed during a walk on Patong beach on October 15 and sought medical advice at Patong Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a heart condition.

However, despite the likelihood that the case has no connection to ebola. tissue samples from the man's body are now being more thoroughly examined.