10 August 2013
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Scientists studied blood samples from livestock animals, including sheep, goats, cows, and camels. High levels of antibodies were found in some of the camels, suggesting that the desert animals had the virus recently. The scientists' findings were published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal.
The MERS coronavirus emerged last year in the Middle East. There have been 94 confirmed cases of MERS and 46 deaths associated with the disease, the BBC reports. Most cases are believed to be caused by contact with an animal.
According to the BBC, the scientists say more research is needed to confirm the findings.
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