Camels transmit MERS

Researchers track down the origins of the MERS virus in camels. The camels who belong to a MERS victim were found to carry a virus identical to that found in the human. The camels all passed the virus among themselves, but did recover. Researchers suspect the victim was infected after applying a medication to their noses to stop unusual discharge. Although camels can pass the virus to humans, researchers suspect that Egyptian tomb bats may be the origin. The bats have a similar genetic sequence as the human MERS virus.

The exact reservoir that maintains the virus in its ecological niche has yet to be identified.