using Human Disease
Since the beginning of the 21st century, 3 beta coronaviruses have been found to cause severe respiratory illness in humans, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus), and now SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses reside in many animal hosts and can adapt to different species, including humans. The proximal origin of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be bats, while the reservoir host for MERS-CoV is the dromedary camel.1–3 Previous data suggest that in order for coronaviruses to exhibit efficient zoonotic transmission, the virus must undergo natura