Novel coronavirus


Novel coronavirus is a provisional name given to coronaviruses of medical significance before a permanent name is decided upon. Although coronaviruses are endemic in humans and infections normally mild, such as the common cold, cross-species transmission has produced some unusually virulent strains which can cause viral pneumonia and in serious cases even acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.

Species

The following viruses could initially be referred to as "novel coronavirus", before being formally named:
All four viruses are part of the Betacoronavirus genus within the coronavirus family.

Etymology

The word "novel" indicates a "new pathogen of a previously known type" of virus. Use of the word conforms to best practices for naming new infectious diseases published by the World Health Organization in 2015. Historically, pathogens have sometimes been named after locations, individuals, or specific species. However, this practice is now explicitly discouraged by the WHO. A study published in 2020 suggested that referring to the novel coronavirus as the "Chinese virus" was stigmatizing and could hinder public health efforts.
The official permanent names for viruses and for diseases are determined by the ICTV and the WHO's ICD, respectively.