SARS-CoV-1 vs. SARS-CoV-2

Attribute	SARS-CoV-1	SARS-CoV-2
Family	Coronaviridae	Coronaviridae
Genus	Betacoronavirus	Betacoronavirus
Origin	China	China
First Identified	2002-2003	2019
Reservoir	Bats, Civets	Bats, Possibly Pangolins
Transmission	Human-to-human	Human-to-human
Incubation Period	2-10 days	2-14 days
Case Fatality Rate	10%	1-2%

Genetic Makeup

SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are both members of the coronavirus family, but they have distinct genetic differences. SARS-CoV-1 is the virus responsible for the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, while SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-1 is closely related to bat coronaviruses, while SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have originated in bats as well, but with a possible intermediate host such as pangolins.

Transmission

Both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. However, SARS-CoV-2 is known to be more contagious than SARS-CoV-1. This increased transmissibility is one of the key factors that has contributed to the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 can also be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers, making it more challenging to control the spread of the virus.

Symptoms

While both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 cause respiratory illness, there are some differences in the symptoms they produce. SARS-CoV-1 typically caused more severe symptoms, such as high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 can cause a wider range of symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell, and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a higher rate of asymptomatic cases compared to SARS-CoV-1.

Incubation Period

The incubation period for SARS-CoV-1 is typically between 2 to 7 days, with symptoms appearing within 2 to 10 days after exposure. In comparison, the incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 is longer, ranging from 2 to 14 days, with symptoms usually appearing within 5 to 6 days after exposure. This longer incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 has made it more challenging to identify and isolate cases before they can spread the virus to others.

Case Fatality Rate

One of the most significant differences between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 is their case fatality rates. SARS-CoV-1 had a much higher case fatality rate, estimated to be around 10%, compared to the case fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2, which is currently estimated to be around 1-2%. However, due to the higher transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the overall number of deaths from COVID-19 has far exceeded the number of deaths from the SARS outbreak.

Immunity and Vaccines

Both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 trigger an immune response in infected individuals, leading to the production of antibodies that can provide immunity against future infections. However, the duration of immunity following infection with SARS-CoV-1 is not well understood, and reinfection has been reported in some cases. For SARS-CoV-2, vaccines have been developed and authorized for emergency use, offering a more effective way to induce immunity and prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Global Impact

The global impact of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 has been significant, but in different ways. The SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 was contained relatively quickly, with fewer than 10,000 cases reported worldwide. In contrast, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of cases and deaths globally, leading to widespread economic disruption, social upheaval, and strain on healthcare systems. The long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are still unfolding, with ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on society.