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According to a new study, the vaccine that offers protection against MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is effective in camels. This vaccine was developed by the German scientists and when administered to the camels, it reduces the amount of virus found in the camels that are infected with the disease. The study that was published in the journal Science says that camels are the primary hosts for the virus. Humans too become susceptible to the disease if they come in contact with an infected camel, wrote the researchers. The disease first emerged in 2012 and there have been more 1,600 cases of MERS in 26 countries since its occurrence. Since then, 600 people have reportedly died from MERS, reports Arab News

As per the experts of the study, they hope that the vaccine might be able to stop the virus and prevent it from spreading in camels and by extension in humans too. The MERS-Coronavirus spreads amongst people who are closely connected with those who are infected, such as healthcare workers or family members. The vaccines are geared towards the animals that are considered to be the principal host of the virus. Even though it may not completely stop the virus in camels, but it does bring down the virus that is found in the animal. The virus is mostly found in younger camels where the symptoms are similar to a common cold. When the humans come in contact with the body fluids of the infected animal, the virus passes on to them and causes the disease, said The Tri-Country Sun Times

According to a report by Scientific American, if the host animals undergo vaccination, the spread of the virus can be controlled. The researchers of the study said that the clinical trials will soon begin on humans too.