Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a strain of coronavirus responsible for causing the disease COVID-19. Pronounced as "sars-koh-v-two", the virus was first identified in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Etymology

The name "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" was given by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) on 11 February 2020. The name reflects the genetic relation to the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Structure

SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus (and hence Baltimore class IV). It has a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The virus uses a spike protein (S-protein) to bind to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the surface of cells.

Transmission

The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, most often via small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking. It can also spread in the absence of symptoms.

Related Terms

• Coronavirus
• COVID-19
• Wuhan
• China
• International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses
• SARS
• RNA virus
• Baltimore class IV
• Spike protein
• Angiotensin converting enzyme 2

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