Pets to be tested for mysterious Mars infection

Scientists are soon to test cats, dogs and even rats as they seek to understand the mysterious Mers infection, BBC News reported.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome was first discovered in 2012 and has so far, killed around 200 people globally.

While the virus that causes it has been found widely in camels, researchers say it could be lurking in other species.

One expert has said that the hunt is likely to soon extend to animals that have close contact with people.

Mers was originally found in a patient from Bishah in Saudi Arabia but since then almost 600 cases of the infection have been discovered around the world, with around 30% of those who get sick dying from the illness.

Researchers believe the coronavirus that causes the infection crossed over from animals.

As the numbers of people infected by the virus rose, scientists sought to test common animals in the Middle East for exposure.

Using blood samples from camels in the Canary islands, Dutch researchers found the first antibodies to the disease. They liken these antibodies to footprints, indicating that the virus had once passed through the animal.

A recent study showed conclusively that the version of the virus circulating in humans is indistinguishable from the one that's been found in camels.