The zoonotic and natural foci characteristics of SARS-CoV-2

Zhenjun Li; Jiafu Jiang; Xiangdong Ruan; Yigang Tong; Shuai Xu; Lichao Han; Jianguo Xu

doi:10.1016/j.jobb.2021.06.002

The zoonotic and natural foci characteristics of SARS-CoV-2

J Biosaf Biosecur. 2021 Jun;3(1):51-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jobb.2021.06.002. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Authors

Zhenjun Li¹, Jiafu Jiang², Xiangdong Ruan³, Yigang Tong⁴, Shuai Xu¹, Lichao Han¹, Jianguo Xu¹

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China.
² State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, PR China.
³ Academy of Forest Inventory and Planning, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100714, PR China.
⁴ Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, PR China.

Abstract

The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still an unresolved mystery. In this study, we systematically reviewed the main research progress of wild animals carrying virus highly homologous to SARS-CoV-2 and analyzed the natural foci characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. The complexity of SARS-CoV-2 origin in wild animals and the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 long-term existence in human populations are also discussed. The joint investigation of corona virus carried by wildlife, as well as the ecology and patho-ecology of bats and other wildlife, are key measures to further clarify the characteristics of natural foci of SARS-CoV-2 and actively defend against future outbreaks of emerging zoonotic diseases.

Keywords: COVID-19; Natural foci disease; SARS-CoV-2; Zoonotic disease.

Publication types

Review