The condition of a 26-year-old Malaysian tour manager who is considered a probable Sars patient, has deteriorated, the Health Ministry official said today.

The patient, who fell ill after visiting Beijing and Bangkok last month, has been put under ventilation to assist his breathing, said the ministry's deputy director general Dr Ismail Merican.

"His condition is not satisfactory. We are hoping for the best," he told reporters.

Ismail said two other probable patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) were responding to treatment. All three were admitted to the Penang general hospital.

Since the virus outbreak, there are six probable Sars cases in Malaysia, with o­ne dead and two discharged, he said.

Seventh case out

Ismail said the seventh probable case reported Thursday had been excluded after subsequent X-ray showed the patient's lungs were clear.

He said there had not been no new probable Sars cases over the last two days but Malaysia was not out of the woods yet.

"We do not know what we are dealing with. Do not be complacent that the danger is over. No. Always be cautious," he warned.

Ismail said health officials have began testing the effectiveness of Artus Biotech's testing kit. The German firm has distributed free diagnostic kits that may cut the time needed to diagnose Sars.

"It will take about a week to evaluate the test kit," he said.