The current SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) outbreak has reached pandemic proportions with a large global imprint. In December 2019, COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and has continued largely unabated. The SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) is much talked about currently; however, it is worth noting that there are several different coronaviruses known to man, with most of them being responsible for causing illness in animals. Seven (7) types of coronaviruses are identified as causing illnesses in humans. Of the seven human coronavirus infections, four involve mild upper respiratory tract complaints that produce slight symptoms of the common cold. Conversely, the other three human coronavirus infections present more severe consequences as recently demonstrated by the SARS-CoV-2. These deadly outbreaks of pneumonia can have consequences that are far-reaching and are global in nature. SARS-CoV was the first new viral pandemic of the 21st century. It had its beginnings in southern China during November 2002 having started mysteriously; It was contained in 2004 after having spread to five continents and thirty-three countries, infecting approximately 8000 people. MERS-CoV the virus that the causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and Jordan and has since registered roughly 2,220 confirmed cases and 790 deaths.
MERS-CoV in Upper Respiratory Tract and Lungs of Dromedary Camels, Saudi Arabia, 2013–2014