Dromedary camels are both the reservoir animal and the vector for MERS, because interestingly, the MERS virus does not spread well from human to human, with most examples of MERS infections being viral evolutionary dead-ends (Dudas, 2018) Although not typically aggressive, dromedary camels have adapted a unique mechanism to deal with stress and excitement in which they spit a mucous and gastric juice slurry called cud. This, of course, happens frequently when the camel is exposed to new stimuli that including herds of foreign travelers that want to take their photo. (Bannikov, 1976)

Although the source of the original MERS virus is unknown, there is little evidence to suggest that MERS is a waterborne virus. However, water isn't the liquid of chief concern when it comes to infection by MERS. In regions where camel husbandry is common, unpasteurized camel milk is regularly consumed, which is known to be a source of infection. 

Fomites are collections of viral particles that remain on hard surfaces. These particles can then be picked up by accidental contact with the surface, like doorhandles or gas pumps, and then cause infection when that hand touches a mucus membrane like when you rub your eyes or scratch your nose. MERS can form fomites from saliva and mucus of dromedary camels, but rarely spreads from human to human contact. Fomites formed from digestive and respiratory secretions of Dromedary camels spread MERS to caretakers and other individuals in direct and indirect contact with them.