The species Severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus: classifying 2019 nCoV and naming it SARS CoV 2
The present outbreak of a coronavirus associated acute respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 19 (COVID 19) is the third documented spillover of an animal coronavirus to humans in only two decades that has resulted in a major epidemic. The Coronaviridae Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, which is responsible for developing the classification of viruses and taxon nomenclature of the family Coronaviridae, has assessed the placement of the human pathogen, tentatively named 2019 nCoV, within the Coronaviridae. Based on phylogeny, taxonomy and established practice, the CSG recognizes this virus as forming a sister clade to the prototype human and bat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS CoVs) of the species Severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus, and designates it as SARS CoV 2. In order to facilitate communication, the CSG proposes to use the following naming convention for individual isolates: SARS CoV 2/host/location/isolate/date. While the full spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with SARS CoV 2 infections in humans remains to be determined, the independent zoonotic transmission of SARS CoV and SARS CoV 2 highlights the need for studying viruses at the species level to complement research focused on individual pathogenic viruses of immediate significance. This will improve our understanding of virus host interactions in an ever changing environment and enhance our preparedness for future outbreaks.
Nature Microbiology