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Comparison of coronavirus outbreaks between SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.
| SARS | MERS | COVID-19 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year outbreak | 2003 | 2012 | 2019 |
| Source of outbreak | Bats | Camels, camel products | Bats, seafood |
| Outbreak location | Guangdong, China | Saudi Arabia | Wuhan, China |
| Route of transmission | Droplets, contact | Contact | Droplets, contact |
| Case fatality rate | 9.5% | 35% | Not yet determined |
| Basic reproduction number, R0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.0–3.5 |
