A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread
Abstract Background There is sufficient epidemiological and biological evidence of increased human susceptibility to viral pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus, in cold weather. The pattern of outbreak...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40249-020-00688-1 |
| _version_ | 1819075740630515712 |
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| author | Kamoru A. Adedokun Ayodeji O. Olarinmoye Jelili O. Mustapha Ramat T. Kamorudeen |
| author_facet | Kamoru A. Adedokun Ayodeji O. Olarinmoye Jelili O. Mustapha Ramat T. Kamorudeen |
| author_sort | Kamoru A. Adedokun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is sufficient epidemiological and biological evidence of increased human susceptibility to viral pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus, in cold weather. The pattern of outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China during the flu season is further proof that meteorological conditions may potentially influence the susceptibility of human populations to coronaviruses, a situation that may become increasingly evident as the current global pandemic of COVID-19 unfolds. Main body A very rapid spread and high mortality rates have characterized the COVID-19 pandemic in countries north of the equator where air temperatures have been seasonally low. It is unclear if the currently high rates of COVID-19 infections in countries of the northern hemisphere will wane during the summer months, or if fewer people overall will become infected with COVID-19 in countries south of the equator where warmer weather conditions prevail through most of the year. However, apart from the influence of seasons, evidence based on the structural biology and biochemical properties of many enveloped viruses similar to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 (aetiology of COVID-19), support the higher likelihood of the latter of the two outcomes. Other factors that may potentially impact the rate of virus spread include the effectiveness of infection control practices, individual and herd immunity, and emergency preparedness levels of countries. Conclusion This report highlights the potential influence of weather conditions, seasons and non-climatological factors on the geographical spread of cases of COVID-19 across the globe. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:30:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11df59c057e940afbe4b31c82a9f6872 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-9957 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:30:13Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
| spelling | doaj.art-11df59c057e940afbe4b31c82a9f68722022-12-21T18:54:17ZengBMCInfectious Diseases of Poverty2049-99572020-06-01911510.1186/s40249-020-00688-1A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spreadKamoru A. Adedokun0Ayodeji O. Olarinmoye1Jelili O. Mustapha2Ramat T. Kamorudeen3Department of Oral Pathology, King Saud University Medical CityCentre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, University of IbadanBiological Science Department, University of AlbertaPublic Health Department, University of South WalesAbstract Background There is sufficient epidemiological and biological evidence of increased human susceptibility to viral pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus, in cold weather. The pattern of outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China during the flu season is further proof that meteorological conditions may potentially influence the susceptibility of human populations to coronaviruses, a situation that may become increasingly evident as the current global pandemic of COVID-19 unfolds. Main body A very rapid spread and high mortality rates have characterized the COVID-19 pandemic in countries north of the equator where air temperatures have been seasonally low. It is unclear if the currently high rates of COVID-19 infections in countries of the northern hemisphere will wane during the summer months, or if fewer people overall will become infected with COVID-19 in countries south of the equator where warmer weather conditions prevail through most of the year. However, apart from the influence of seasons, evidence based on the structural biology and biochemical properties of many enveloped viruses similar to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 (aetiology of COVID-19), support the higher likelihood of the latter of the two outcomes. Other factors that may potentially impact the rate of virus spread include the effectiveness of infection control practices, individual and herd immunity, and emergency preparedness levels of countries. Conclusion This report highlights the potential influence of weather conditions, seasons and non-climatological factors on the geographical spread of cases of COVID-19 across the globe.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40249-020-00688-1Case spreadCOVID-19SeasonEmergency preparednessHuman immunityInfection control |
| spellingShingle | Kamoru A. Adedokun Ayodeji O. Olarinmoye Jelili O. Mustapha Ramat T. Kamorudeen A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread Infectious Diseases of Poverty Case spread COVID-19 Season Emergency preparedness Human immunity Infection control |
| title | A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread |
| title_full | A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread |
| title_fullStr | A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread |
| title_full_unstemmed | A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread |
| title_short | A close look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2, and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on COVID-19 case spread |
| title_sort | close look at the biology of sars cov 2 and the potential influence of weather conditions and seasons on covid 19 case spread |
| topic | Case spread COVID-19 Season Emergency preparedness Human immunity Infection control |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40249-020-00688-1 |
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