A Perspective on the Origin of COVID-19 and Its Epidemic Situation in Iran and the World

In late 2019, a new viral disease, called COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, began in China and soon became a pandemic. COVID-19 is a threat to human health and causes human and financial losses in societies. Therefore, researchers are working to identify and control it more quickly. This review provides the newest information on COVID-19.

The data in this review are extracted from the latest articles related to COVID-19 and include the origin of the virus and its transmission routes, eco-epidemiology, incubation period and the symptoms of the disease, and perspectives on its control and prevention. 

SARS-CoV-2 is known as a zoonotic agent with high gene mutation. COVID-19 symptoms are numerous and the most important mode of transmission is respiratory droplets. Therefore, the patientchr('39')s history, diagnosis of general symptoms, laboratory findings, chest imaging, serological and molecular diagnosis, can be effective in identifying patients as soon as possible, controlling and preventing.

There is still no effective drug or vaccine to prevent the disease and investigation in this field is ongoing. The only way to prevent and control the disease is adherence to the health protocols