World

South Korea reports 7 new cases of MERS, brings total to 145

South Korea reports 7 new cases of MERS, brings total to 145

By Reuters

A man wearing a mask to prevent contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) uses his mobile phone as a subway operator looks out from his train in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2015. Photo: REUTERS

SEOUL: South Korea's Health Ministry reported on Sunday seven new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), taking the total to 145 in an outbreak that the World Health Organization called 'large and complex.' All of the cases are believed to be linked to hospital settings and traced to a businessman who had returned from a trip to the Middle East. There have been 14 deaths, all elderly patients or people who had been suffering serious ailments.