A Tunisian man who contracted the SARS-like novel coronavirus during a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia has died.

The 66-year old man, who died on May 10, is the first case in Tunisia, Noureddine Achour, director of the National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, told AFP.

It also believed to be the first such case of the SARS-like novel coronavirus reaching Africa.

A diabetic, the Tunisian man complained of breathing problems since his return from Saudi Arabia. He died in a hospital in the coastal city of Monastir.

Two of his children who were with him in the pilgrimage also tested positive for the SARS-like novel coronavirus. However, they have responded well to treatment and have since recovered, Tunisia's health ministry said in a statement. The rest of the family remains under medical observation, the ministry added.

Tunisia's three cases brings the total number of confirmed infections worldwide to 44, while the global death toll to 22, since scientists first discovered the SARS-like novel coronavirus in September 2012.

Cases so far have erupted in various parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Britain, Germany and France. Majority of the cases were found in Saudi Arabia.

Read: New SARS-Like Virus Reaches France

All of the European cases, according to an update from WHO, have had a direct or indirect connection to the Middle East, including two cases with recent travel history from the UAE. Of the 44 cases reported worldwide, 22 were in Saudi Arabia, it added.

Out of the 22 deaths, 16 occurred in the kingdom, WHO said. Most of the infections in Saudi Arabia were found in Al-Ahsa while a few were spotted in Jeddah and Riyadh.

Read: New SARS-Like Virus: Death Toll in Saudi Arabia Reaches 15

"These Tunisia cases haven't changed our risk assessment, but they do show the virus is still spreading,'' Gregory Hartl, WHO spokesman, told AP.

The new infections will likely affect the Islamic pilgrimage periods in Saudi Arabia in summer and autumn.

Read: SARS-Like Virus: Hospital Health Workers Among Those Infected in Saudi Arabia's Six New Cases

The cities of Mecca and Medina receive millions of pilgrims from around the world during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which fell in July and August this year.