COVID-19: The outbreak caused by a new coronavirus

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2020;77(2):47-53. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.20000039.

Abstract

Before the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, coronaviruses (CoVs) were not considered to be highly pathogenic to humans. However, it was this epidemic that highlighted this group of viruses and included them among the causative agents of emerging epidemic diseases. In addition, in 2012, another new CoV responsible for the Middle East respiratory syndrome was identified. Both infections were considered a threat to global health security. At present, the third epidemic caused by a CoV is being faced. This new CoV, called 2019-nCoV, was originated in the city of Wuhan, China, and has been linked to severe respiratory infections in humans. Thanks to the collaboration of experts worldwide, more information about this virus and its infection is reported each day, which allows modifying the recommendations for its prevention and treatment, without forgetting that the ultimate goal is to control this epidemic. In this review, the important aspects of this new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, and its disease, COVID-19, have been summarized with the information available up to February 2020.

Previo al brote del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave de 2003, los coronavirus (CoV) no eran considerados como agentes altamente patogénicos para los humanos. Sin embargo, fue dicha epidemia la que destacó este grupo de virus y lo incluyó entre los agentes causantes de enfermedades epidémicas emergentes. Adicionalmente, en 2012 se identificó un nuevo CoV causante del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio. Ambas infecciones fueron consideradas una amenaza para la seguridad sanitaria mundial. Hoy en día se presenta la tercera epidemia causada por un CoV. Este nuevo CoV, llamado 2019-nCoV, se originó en la ciudad de Wuhan, China, y ha sido relacionado con infecciones respiratorias graves en humanos. Gracias a la colaboración de expertos en todo el mundo, cada día se logra obtener más información sobre este virus y la infección que causa, lo cual permite modificar las recomendaciones para su prevención y tratamiento sin olvidar que el fin último es lograr el control de la epidemia. En esta revisión se resumen los aspectos más importantes acerca del nuevo 2019-nCoV y la enfermedad COVID-19, con la información disponible hasta febrero de 2020.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Coronavirus disease 2019; Emerging epidemic diseases; Enfermedades epidémicas emergentes; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-CoV; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Coronavirus*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • World Health Organization