Coronaviruses are named
after the crown-like spikes on their surface. In the mid 1960s, the first human
corona viruses were identified. The alpha coronaviruses (229E and NL63), beta
coronaviruses (OC43, HKU1) and SARS-CoV are five coronaviruses that can infect human.
The human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract
illnesses. On the other hand, SARS-CoV causes severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia in late 2003 killed
nearly 800 people.
There has been a recent
outbreak of new corona virus known as nCoV-EMC, which is a beta coronavirus. This
novel coronavirus is different from other coronaviruses that have been found in
humans before and Also, not the same virus which caused severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. However, like the SARS virus, the novel
coronavirus is most similar to those found in bats. The new virus is still being
learned. According to World Health Organization the new strain of the
coronavirus could be passed on between people in close contact. Person infected
with the novel coronavirus develops severe acute respiratory illness with
symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Source: WHO & CDC Websites
