Why did WHO rename the corona virus from Covid-19 to SARS-CoV-2?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just announced that the official name for the new corona virus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2.

Why did WHO rename the corona virus from Covid-19 to SARS-CoV-2?

The WHO says viruses and viral illnesses often have different names. For example, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. People often know the name of a disease, such as measles, but less well known the name of the virus that causes measles is rubeola.

There are many different processes and purposes for naming viruses and diseases, according to WHO.

WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines and drugs. Virologists and the scientific community do this, so the virus is named by the International Commission on Virus Classification (ICTV).

What does the new name for corona virus, SARS-CoV-2, mean?

The disease is named to allow discussion of disease prevention, spread, severity and treatment. Human disease preparedness and response is the role of WHO, so the diseases are officially named by WHO in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

ICTV earlier on 11.2 announced the name of the virus causing COVID-19 is the severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2). This name was chosen because the new virus has a genetic similarity to the corona virus that caused SARS in 2003. Regardless, the two viruses are different, according to WHO.

On February 22, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about the number of new cases of corona virus (Covid-19) without any apparent epidemiological link, despite the number of schools. The number of infections outside of China remains relatively low.

In a tweet, Ghebreyesus said cases where there was no clear epidemiological link included people who had never been to China, and had never been exposed to a Covid case- 19 confirmed.

Citing reports, the WHO Director-General emphasized that the Covid-19 virus is still mild in 80% of patients, and in serious or critical condition for the remaining 20%. This virus caused a 2% mortality rate in the reported cases.

Ghebreyesus stressed: 'Our biggest concern is the possibility of the COVID-19 corona virus spreading in countries with weaker health systems. "

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