DHAKA: Saudi health authorities announced on Sunday a new death caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) coronavirus, bringing to 53 the number of fatalities in the kingdom from it.

The Health Ministry gave no details on the latest death in the country most affected by the disease that first appeared in the Gulf state in September 2012.

Mers has so far cost 64 lives worldwide, according to a November 4 update by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Experts are struggling to understand Mers, for which there is no vaccine.

BDST: 1709 HRS, NOV 10, 2013
RoR/RK