The Health Ministry today announced there was a second probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( Sars ) case in Malaysia but the patient has recovered and was discharged from hospital yesterday.

Health Ministry deputy director-general Ismail Merican said the patient, an 84-year-old Chinese Malaysian, had fallen ill after returning from a trip to Hong Kong and Guangdong.

He said the man, from Teluk Intan, Perak, had developed Sars symptoms after his trip to the two places between March 18 and March 26.

"He had fever, cough and breathing difficulties and so was admitted to the Teluk Intan hospital o­n March 28.

"He was referred to the Ipoh hospital the following day," said Ismail during a press conference at Parliament.

The health official said the patient responded well to treatment and has been discharged.

Last week, a 64-year-old man died at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, which the ministry confirmed as the country's first probable Sars case.

The victim, from Jerantut, Pahang, had reportedly visited China from March 6 to 14 and stayed in Singapore from March 14 to 16.

Nothing unusual

Questioned about the latest patient's recovery, Ismail said there was nothing unusual since the fatality rate of Sars was low at about three to four percent.

"We would expect an older man to have lower resistance but he has made a good recovery. We will still follow up with him after this," he added.

The deputy director-general said health authorities decided to classify the man as a probable Sars case because he had developed pneumonia.

"This man had a history of chronic obstructive airway disease. The disease showed in his X-rays. It could well be bacterial pneumonia as well (as opposed to viral pneumonia) butwe are being cautious and categorising his case as a probable o­ne," he said.

Under World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria, a suspected case is o­ne where the person develops high fever and coughing or breathing difficulties.

The person must also have come into close contact with a suspected or probable Sars patient or travelled to the affected areas.

A probable case is o­ne where the afflicted person contracts pneumonia subsequently.

Eight new suspects

On the latest tabulation o­n suspected cases, Ismail said as of 6pm yesterday, eight new suspected cases were recorded, bringing the total number of patients warded for suspicion of Sars to 32.

The eight were admitted to hospitals in northern states - five in Kedah, o­ne in Perak and two in Penang.

"They have all been classified as suspected cases because their (chest) X-rays appear normal. Based o­n their travel histories, four of them went to Shanghai, three to Singapore and o­ne to Hong Kong. They are all in stable condition," he said.

Asked if any of the those quarantined so far have developed Sars symptoms, Ismail said all of them have remained healthy.

"There are now five families under quarantine including the Jerantut family," he said, adding that the group included family members of the 84-year-old probable Sars patient who has recovered.

Questioned about their age, Ismail said he did not have specific details although he had been informed that patients aged 40 and above with pre-existing medical conditions generally suffered more problems.

In addition, he said none of the suspected cases were due to possible local transmission of the disease.

Precautionary guidelines

During a briefing for MPs earlier, Health Minister Chua Jui Meng conceded that the surveillance measures put in place by the government are effective o­nly in screening suspected Sars patients who develop symptoms.

"We cannot trace them without symptoms," he said, adding that checks are being made at all departure points at affected areas and also at entry points into the country.

To ensure that designated hospitals adhere to precautionary guidelines issued by the government, Chua said several trips will be made to other states by health authorities.

"This Sunday, we will be at the Ipoh hospital. We want to know what is being done in Ipoh and to see if all guidelines are carried out for isolation (of suspected Sars patients).

Chua said following multiple requests, the ministry will hold daily briefings, including o­n Sundays, starting with the Ipoh event.

In addition, he said the health department secretary-general Alias Ahmad will also be visiting several hospitals in Sabah and Sarawak.

Clearer picture

Chua said although the number of new cases in China has declined in recent days, the outbreak is still not over as more cases have been reported in other affected areas.

"As of (yesterday), the cases in Hong Kong increased by 12 percent. This is compared to four percent two weeks ago. We have to be vigilant until the WHO calls off the global health alert," he said.

On the ministry's decision to update the public o­nly o­n cases still in hospitals and not cumulative numbers, the minister said the decision was made as it gave a clearer picture of the status of suspected Sars infection.

"We do not want to confuse the public as though there are still many cases. So we are reporting o­nly the cases that are still under surveillance and not those who have been excluded," he said.

Meanwhile Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik told reporters at the Parliament lobby later that a total of 14 incoming international flights from affected countries were canceled today.

This followed 20 canceled flights yesterday.

However the minister said that these cancellations would not have a major affect o­n the country as they constituted o­nly three percent of all incoming flights.