The Global Emergency of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): An Update of the Current Status and Forecasting

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-08, Vol.17 (16), p.5648
• Main Authors: Hozhabri, Hossein, Piceci Sparascio, Francesca, Sohrabi, Hamidreza, Mousavifar, Leila, Roy, René, Scribano, Daniela, De Luca, Alessandro, Ambrosi, Cecilia, Sarshar, Meysam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Betacoronavirus; China - epidemiology; Coronaviridae; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - physiopathology; Coronavirus Infections - therapy; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Emergency Service, Hospital; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Genetics; Humans; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Mutation; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - physiopathology; Pneumonia, Viral - therapy; Public Health; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Viruses; Weather; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165648

Over the past two decades, there have been two major outbreaks where the crossover of animal to humans has resulted in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In December 2019, a global public health concern started with the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV) which has rapidly spread all over the world from its origin in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the genus, which includes human SARS-CoV, MERS and two other human coronaviruses (HCoVs), HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1. The fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2 is lower than the two previous coronavirus epidemics, but it is faster spreading and the large number of infected people with severe viral pneumonia and respiratory illness, showed SARS-CoV-2 to be highly contagious. Based on the current published evidence, herein we summarize the origin, genetics, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, preventions, diagnosis and up to date treatments of SARS-CoV-2 infections in comparison with those caused by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Moreover, the possible impact of weather conditions on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is also discussed. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to reconsider the two previous pandemics and provide a reference for future studies as well as therapeutic approaches.