RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
The death toll in Saudi Arabia from the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus has risen to 59 after a Riyadh resident died.
The 60-year-old's death was the second in 2014, according to a statement on the website of the country's Ministry of Health.
The virus was first discovered in September 2012, and has since spread around the region.
Cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan and Oman.
The virus destroys the lungs and kidneys and no known cure is yet available.
Symptoms - including a long-lasting fever and cough - are similar to those displayed by people suffering from the SARS virus.
It is presumed that long-term physical contact causes infection.
The virus has also been found in some European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.
During an epidemic of SARS (an earlier form of coronavirus) in 2003, more than 800 people - mostly from the Asian continent - lost their lives.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
