A 66-year-old man in South Korea, who was recovering from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) infection, died yesterday, bringing the total death toll linked to the disease in the country to 37, reports Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

According to South Korea’s health sector, the man was confirmed to contract the virus in mid-June and underwent a lung transplant operation, but his condition did not stabilise even after testing negative for Mers.

Since the first case of Mers infection in the country was confirmed on May 20, a total of 186 people have been found to be infected.

Almost all those who were infected with Mers in South Korea have recovered and left hospital, except for a 35-year-old man who was once cleared of infection but is undergoing treatment again after testing positive earlier in October.

Mers took a heavy toll on South Korea, adversely affecting its tourist sector.

- Bernama