What’s in a Name for Coronavirus?

By SAM URETSKY

The first thing is that its proper name is 2019-nCoV, which is short for “2019 novel coronavirus.” That’s the term used in the Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine. On the other hand, in GenBank, the complete genome has been reported, and the virus is termed “Wuhan seafood market pneumonia virus isolate Wuhan-Hu-1.” Since newer cases have been transmitted without consumption of seafood, it’s likely that this name won’t catch on, although the nickname “Wu-flu” had a certain charm.

Similarly, the name “coronavirus” isn’t practical either. A coronavirus is a common virus which causes cold symptoms, infecting the nose and other parts of the upper respiratory system. But 2019-nCoV is different. It can kill, and it can spread quickly. Historically, other coronavirus variants have been serious health threats. In 2014 — 15 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) killed 858 people and in 2003 there were 774 deaths due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ). The list of affected nations seems to cover most developed nations. It may also be present in the less developed nations, but since their medical resources are not as good, the cases may not be properly diagnosed.

So nCoV is getting a great deal of attention, and some headline writers have raised the specter of the disease becoming a pandemic, but so far the World Health Organization is being very conservative in its recommendations. “WHO encourages all Member States to enhance their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns of SARI or pneumonia cases. WHO urges Member States to notify or verify to WHO any suspected or confirmed case of infection with novel coronavirus.” The WHO has not advocated any restrictions on travel or trade, although screening of travelers may be advisable, but will provide notification should their recommendations change.

But, while the WHO has shown a great deal of restraint, individual nations have their own opinions and just as this may affect trade, particularly between China and other nations. The New York Times (2/14/20) described the effects of cutbacks on Chinese tourism at international luxury stores: “The (absence of shoppers) was replicated on the shopping boulevards of Paris, in the malls of Dubai and on the streets of Hong Kong. The coronavirus has caused the quarantine of more than 50 million people in China, and travel and visa restrictions to more than 70 countries. Alongside widespread shutdowns of stores and malls in China, it has taken a heavy toll on the global luxury goods sector, long dependent on the spending of Chinese shoppers at home and abroad.”

The economic consequences of the novel coronavirus may be moderated because of the Chinese New Year, and spring celebrations that can last for weeks at a time. Deutsche Welle, a German news organization, anticipates minimal disruption of international trade, but 9NEWS, from Australia, finds grounds for concern: “Not only is spread of the disease quickened by increased travel to and from China due to the Lunar New Year, the biggest threat to the global economy is from any economic shock to China’s colossal industrial and consumption engines spreading rapidly to other countries through the increased trade and financial linkages.” The Australian stock market has risen due to the nCoV epidemic, but this is due to increased sale of blood products and influenza virus vaccine.

Of course in the United States, our foremost germaphobe, Donald John Trump, has tweeted “… he (President Xi of China) will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!”

What’s missing from President Trump’s projections is the fact that the reasons for the decline in influenza with warmer weather is not as simple as the temperature warming. In 2013, a team of researchers from Columbia University published a study titled “Environmental Predictors of Seasonal Influenza Epidemics across Temperate and Tropical Climates,” noting that in temperate regions respiratory infections follow our traditional winter patterns, but in tropical and sub-tropical areas, flu season corresponds to the annual rainy season, with a temperature and humidity response.

Since nCoV is a novel virus, there is no way to predict how it will react to climate change – but since global warming means that the warm air can hold more water, this may result in a change in the flu season. Maybe weather predictions should be left to the professionals?

Sam Uretsky is a writer and pharmacist living in Louisville, Ky. Email sdu01@outlook.com.

From The Progressive Populist, March 15, 2020

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