Saudi Arabia has issued its strongest warning so far over a possible connection between camels and a virus that has killed more than 100 people in the kingdom.
A camel race in Khalis, 85km northeast of Jeddah. Photo: AFP (file)
Saudia Arabia is the country by far most affected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, with 133 deaths since the virus was detected in 2012.
Nearly 500 people in the kingdom have been infected.
The disease is a coronavirus, which causes fever, pneumonia and kidney failure.
The BBC reports research has focused on the role of the camel as a carrier of the virus.
The camel is a central part of traditional Saudi life and the animals have only recently been linked to the outbreak.