Three more people have died from a new respiratory virus related to Sars in Saudi Arabia, the country's health ministry has said, according to Belfast Telegraph.

The three deceased, ranging in age from 24 to 60, had chronic diseases, including kidney failure, according to officials. The ministry said they were admitted to hospital a month ago.

It also announced a new case of the respiratory virus called Mers. It identified the infected only as a 61-year-old from the Al-Ahsa region where the outbreak started in April.

The new case brings the number of those infected in the country to 38.

The World Health Organization said the virus was first seen in the Middle East and has infected more than 49 people worldwide.