Table 2.
Differences in pathogenicity and virulence of different coronaviruses currently reported in literature.
| Main features | 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) | SARS | MERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible natural reservoir | Bat | Bat | Bat |
| Mean incubation time in humans (days) | 3–6 | 5 | 5 |
| Origin | Wuhan, China | Guangdong Province, China | Arabian Peninsula |
| Case number (period) | 71 333 (as of 17 February 2020) | 8098 (2002–2003) | 2254 (2012–2013) |
| Type of illness | Acute respiratory syndrome | Severe acute respiratory syndrome | Severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| Severity of symptoms | Mild to moderate | High | High compared with SARS |
| Fatality rate (%) | 2–2.3 | >10 | >35 |
2019-nCoV, 2019 novel coronavirus [officially renamed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)]; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome; MERS, Middle East respiratory syndrome.