Overall, 74 percent of camels sampled countrywide had antibodies to MERS-CoV (coronavirus), the study said.

The team also analyzed archives of blood samples from dromedary camels - the most common species - taken from 1992 to 2010, and found evidence of MERS going back two decades.

"The virus that has been identified in these camels is identical to the virus that has been found in humans with disease," Lipkin said.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.

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