Following the recent outbreak of the new strain of Coronavirus in China, a global review of the virus and concern has developed.

The coronavirus is a virus which is zoonotic (can transmit from animals to humans following mutation/evolution) . Although there are a number of currently known Coronaviruses that affect animals, there are currently only 7 which are able to infect humans (6 prior to the recent 2019-nCoV in China). These currently include:

1. 229E (Alpha Coronavirus)
2. NL63 (Alpha Coronavirus)
3. OC43 (Beta Coronavirus)
4. HKU1 (Beta Coronavirus)
5. MERS-CoV (The beta Coronavirus which causes Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome)
6. SARS-CoV (The beta Coronavirus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
7. 2019-nCov (2019 Novel Coronavirus)

Symptoms of Coronavirus can range dependent on the type , the virus often infects the upper respiratory system. Common Coronaviruses (numbers 1-4 above) are responsible for common infections in humans every year. 229E and OC43 have been recognised as the cause of the common cold for many years and cause frequent reinfections in humans throughout life.