Abstract
Within last 17 years two widespread epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, which were caused by related coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Although the origin(s) of these viruses are still unknown and their occurrences in nature are mysterious, some general patterns of their pathogenesis and epidemics are noticeable. Both viruses utilize the same receptor—angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—for invading human bodies. Both epidemics occurred in cold dry winter seasons celebrated with major holidays, and started in regions where dietary consumption of wildlife is a fashion. Thus, if bats were the natural hosts of SARS-CoVs, cold temperature and low humidity in these times might provide conducive environmental conditions for prolonged viral survival in these regions concentrated with bats. The widespread existence of these bat-carried or -released viruses might have an easier time in breaking through human defenses when harsh winter makes human bodies more vulnerable. Once succeeding in making some initial human infections, spreading of the disease was made convenient with increased social gathering and holiday travel. These natural and social factors influenced the general progression and trajectory of the SARS epidemiology. However, some unique factors might also contribute to the origination of SARS in Wuhan. These factors are discussed in different scenarios in order to promote more research for achieving final validation.
Highlights
Since 2002, two epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have originated fromChina, one in late 2002 and the other in late 2019
Even though “Wuhan pneumonia” has been called with various other disease names related with SARS-CoV, an etiological agent of SARS, and uses a same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as SARSsuch as “new coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)” and as “coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)”, CoV does
A further change of “COVID-19” into “SARS-2” is we evaluate natural and social factors influencing both 2002 and 2019 SARSs in order to understand logical and reasonable for streamlining taxonomy between disease agent and disease
Summary
Since 2002, two epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have originated from. Even though “Wuhan pneumonia” has been called with various other disease names related with SARS-CoV, an etiological agent of SARS, and uses a same receptor, ACE2, as SARSsuch as “new coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)” and as “coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)”, CoV does. A further change of “COVID-19” into “SARS-2” is we evaluate natural and social factors influencing both 2002 and 2019 SARSs in order to understand logical and reasonable for streamlining taxonomy between disease agent and disease In this minisome common epidemiological features that may be beneficial for controlling the ongoing epidemic review, we evaluate natural and social factors influencing both 2002 and 2019 SARSs in order to understand some common epidemiological features that may be beneficial for controlling the ongoing epidemic and for preventing future outbreak. This comprehensive knowledge is helpful for searching the origin(s) of the viruses and for elucidating their initial occurrence(s)
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