The World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19, while the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) named the virus itself SARS-CoV-2.
- COVID-19 stands for COrona VIrus Disease 19. The "19" represents the year the outbreak was first recognized, late in 2019.
- SARS-CoV-2 stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. This name highlights the virus's connection to the SARS virus. The "2" indicates that this is a second coronavirus known to cause severe respiratory illness.
The WHO selected the name "COVID-19" following their best practices for naming new human infectious diseases. The name aims to be easy to remember and pronounce while avoiding references to geographic locations, animal species, or individuals to prevent stigmatization.
The ICTV's naming process is more technical and focuses on the virus's characteristics and lineage. They chose "SARS-CoV-2" to reflect its relationship to the original SARS virus while also differentiating it.
These names are essential for clear communication about the disease and virus among healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public.
