Zoonotic origins of human coronavirus 2019 (HCoV-19 / SARS-CoV-2): why is this work important?
Gary Wong, Yuhai Bi, Qi-Hui Wang, Chen Xin-wen, Zhigang Zhang, Yong‐Gang Yao
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with human coronavirus 2019 (HCoV-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / 2019-nCoV), is a global threat to the human population. Here, we briefly summarize the available data for the zoonotic origins of HCoV-19, with reference to the other two epidemics of highly virulent coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, which cause severe pneumonia in humans. We propose to intensify future efforts for tracing the origins of HCoV-19, which is a very important scientific question for the control and prevention of the pandemic.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirusVirologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PneumoniaBetacoronavirus2019-20 coronavirus outbreakPopulationContact tracingMedicineDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Environmental healthPathologyInternal medicineSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchZoonotic diseases and public healthCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies