The study accompanies 2 new cases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the ongoing outbreak there.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two new MERS-CoV cases in Riyadh today that don't appear to be linked to a large hospital outbreak, and it confirmed a death in a previously reported patient.
Of 3 new cases, 2 involve foreign healthcare workers in their 20s in Riyadh.
Cases are in some of the country's major cities, such as Jeddah—a primary arrival spot—and Medina.
Medina cases are a worry, given the throngs of Hajj pilgrims visiting holy sites.
Also, a WHO roundup of 25 recent Saudi cases hints at the types of virus exposure some hospital patients had.
With 2 new Saudi cases, results of a gene study hint at enhanced transmissibility.
Saudi Arabia has had 18 MERS cases since Sep 4, 15 of them in Riyadh.
At least 3 of the 6 new cases involve recent contact with another MERS patient.
The group based much of its findings on an Aug 23 WHO mission to Saudi Arabia.
