In 2003, following the outbreak of Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which had begun the prior year in Asia, and secondary cases elsewhere in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a press release stating that a novel coronavirus identified by a number of laboratories was the causative agent for SARS.
En 2003, despois do estalido infeccioso de síndrome respiratoria aguda severa (SARS) que empezou en Asia e se estendeu con casos secundarios por todo o mundo, a Organización Mundial da Saúde emitiu un comunicado de prensa indicando que fora identificado un novo coronavirus en varios laboratorios, que era o axente causante do SARS.