AKIPRESS.COM - Five new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have been confirmed in South Korea and another person has died from the virus, the country's Ministry of Health said Monday.

That brings to 16 the number of deaths attributed to the virus, which is known as MERS.

Out of 150 people who contracted MERS since an outbreak began in South Korea last month, 120 are undergoing treatment, the ministry said.

South Korean health officials this weekend said the outbreak there was slowing, but additional cases were expected.

According to the World Health Organization, the strain of coronavirus that causes MERS was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.