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The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first discovered in 2012 in a patient who died from severe respiratory disease. Since then, and as of 16 January 2020, 2 521 cases have been reported worldwide, including 919 deaths (crude case fatality 36%). Most cases have been reported from the Arabian Peninsula (and around 84% specifically from Saudi Arabia), and all cases elsewhere had a travel history to the Arabian Peninsula or were a contact of someone who had a travel history to the region.

This is the third report for the 2019–20 influenza season. As of week 1/2020, 42 844 influenza detections had been reported across the WHO European Region; 85% type A viruses, with A(H3N2) prevailing over A(H1N1)pdm09, and 15% type B viruses, with 531 (92%) of 576 ascribed to a B/Victoria lineage.