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SARS-CoV-2 and animals

Publication at Third Faculty of Medicine |
2020

Abstract

The disease COVID-19 that becomes pandemic worldwide is caused by a new coronavirus called SARSCoV-2. The coronaviruses create a large group of enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses.

Some cause respiratory infections in humans, while others cause disease in certain species of animals, such as cattle, camels and bats. Current proofs suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is of animal origin.

Genetic sequence data reveal that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a close relative of other coronaviruses circulating in the horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus) population. However, there is not enough sufficient scientific evidence to date, to identify the source of the virus or to explain the original route of transmission to humans which may include a transient host.