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Reporting online in The Lancet, the scientists said they had assembled a family tree of the coronavirus causing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), using samples taken from 21 patients in Saudi Arabia.
With the exception of a cluster of cases in the eastern town of al-Hasa, the focal point of the outbreak is the Saudi capital, they said.
"These results suggest the circulating virus in Saudi Arabia is centred around Riyadh, with sporadic excursions to other centres," they said.
The probe reiterated the theory that the virus – called MERS-CoV by scientists – probably leapt to humans from animals.
The genetic history of the virus suggests repeat infections may have occurred since then, but what the animal source was, or is, remains unclear, the probe said.
Tests on mammals
Tests are being carried on mammals ranging from camels and bats to goats in Saudi Arabia.
The cluster in al-Hasa, in contrast, shows that viral strains there were closely related, which is consistent with the spread from human to human.
The samples in Riyadh have a broad genetic diversity, the probe said.
This could mean that the virus is being transmitted through an animal source that is continuously being brought in from elsewhere.
Alternatively, the scientists say, it may be down to the fact that the capital is the country's biggest population centre, which makes it more vulnerable to human-to-human transmission of the virus.
More complicated than anticipated
"Transmission of this virus appears to be more complicated than anticipated," said Alimuddin Zumla, a professor at University College London, who helped lead the Lancet study.
An "intermediary" source may also be possible, as most of the known cases have had no known direct contact with animals, he said.
Asked what this source could be, he said this remained unclear, but theoretical avenues to explore would include food.
Zumla said the use of gene profiling could be a vital tool for monitoring the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said earlier that it had been informed of 132 lab-confirmed cases of MERS, including 58 deaths.
Official Saudi figures showed that 49 fatalities have occurred.
One of the world's biggest movements of people, the annual hajj pilgrimage, is due to take place next month.
Authorities have urged the elderly and chronically ill to avoid the event this year and cut back on the numbers of people they will allow to perform the pilgrimage.
Around two million people are expected.
Zumla called for health authorities to keep up their guard, but also noted that there had been no MERS outbreaks at the October 2012 hajj or the July 2013 Ramadan Umrah season.
"The reassuring news is that two mass gatherings, attracting over eight million pilgrims, have occurred in Mecca since the discovery of MERS-Cov 12 months ago... yet no major outbreaks of MERS-CoV cases have been reported from these events to date," he said.
