Mers death toll rises to 16 in South Korea

The death toll from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) that has hit South Korea has risen to 16.

South Korean officials have also reported five new cases in the nation, which has the largest outbreak outside the Middle East, reports the BBC.

Officials say 150 people have now contracted the virus in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old South Korean man in Slovakia tested negative for the virus, but will remain in quarantine for further testing.

He has symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever and skin lesions. The man reportedly works for a subcontractor of South Korean car maker Kia.

A hospital in Seoul has suspended most of its services after being identified as the source of almost half the cases. The president of the Samsung Medical Center issued a public apology on Sunday and said the hospital would stop treating outpatients and admitting new patients to prevent further infections among patients and medical staff.

He said no visitors would be allowed, and non-urgent surgery was being stopped.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak is "large and complex" with further cases expected.