Middle East respiratory syndrome is a respiratory and an enteric disease caused by a recentlyrndiscovered virus called MERS-CoV. It is a zoonotic virus in which camels are implicated as thernmajor source of infection in humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February, 2018rnto April, 2019, with the objectives of detection and characterization of MERS-CoV andrndetermining the seroprevalence and its association with risk factors. The study animals wererncamels found in Borena zone, in three kebeles, namely, Areri, Dikale and Harwoyu of Yabellorndistrict. A total of 1050 nasal swab and 525 sera samples were collected at a rate of 150 nasalrnswab and 75 sera at a time. The nasal swab were tested for the presence of specific viral RNArnusing qRT-PCR at Hong Kong University and NAHDIC.The sera samples were tested for thernpresence IgG antibody using indirect ELISA at NAHDIC, Ethiopia. Additionally 75 of 525rnserums were retested by ppNT in Hong Kong University. Based on ELISA result, the overallrnseroprevalence of MERS-CoV in the study area was 74% (390/525, 95%CI 70 to78).Associationrnof risk factors with seroprevalence was identified. The seroprevalence found were 87% in adult,rn48% in youngâ€™s and 50% in juvenile camels, the variation was statistically significant, adjustedrnOR; 7.5 CI= 4.5 - 12.4.Also small size herd had 80% seroprevalence than medium 78.8% andrnlarge herd size 67.8%, the variation was statistically significant, adjusted OR; 3.44;CI=1.76 torn6.75.High seroprevalence was recorded in Dikale 76% than Harwoyu74% and Areri 72%. ,thernvariation was statistically significant,adjusted OR=2.3;CI=1.27to4.35.Gravid females had highrnseroprevalence 91% than lactating 83% and dry females 67%,the variation was statisticallyrnsignificant,adjusted OR= 1.5;CI=1.045 to 2.917.No statistical significance difference wasrnobserved among sexs and sampling seasons.In comparison of the two serology methodologies,rn69% of the test result agreed, and showed higher seroprevalence of MERS-CoV antibody in allrnkebeles of Yabello district camels which reflects the evidence of prior MERS-CoV infection. Allrn1050 nasal swab samples showed negative result. Zero detection might suggest absence of activerncirculation of the virus at the time of sampling and the need of designing longitudinal basedrnactive surveillance by concidering the calving season of the camels and the short viral sheddingrnwindow (2-5days). Early detection and imposing control intervention reduces risk of transmissionrnof the virus to the pastoralist and consumers of camel products in the country.