:ferg the new virus that emerged is a variety of coronavirus.hey take their name from the surface proteins which look like the tips of a crown. a lot ocommon causes are caused by coronaviruses, but in the past few years, three dangerous strains have jumped from animals to hums. sars virus emerged in 2002 in china and killed nearly 800 people worldwide, about one inec 10 of those id. mrsra originated in saudia in 2012. it has since killed about it hundred 50 people, one in three of those affected --85 abo people, one in three of those affected. the coronavis seems more dangerous. it is not clear what the death rate o 80's because mothe patients are still in hospital, but it does seem much less lethal. seasonal influenza, flu, cses of the 650,000 deaths globally as with the flu there is mounting evidence that the china coronavirus is contagious before people develop symptoms. it is passed through the air in coughing or people touching droplets on surfaces. the virus infects the lungs, causing a fever, cou, and in some cases, breathing difficulties