Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the third coronavirus emerging in the last two decades producing a disease denominated COVID-19 (infectious disease by coronavirus 2019). It has demostrated to be easily transmisible between humans with a fast world wide dissemination and declared a pandemia in March 11, 2020. Up to date it has caused millions of cases, deaths, disruptions in medical services and severe social, political and economic consecuences, all around the globe. Phylogenetic studies relate it to SARS-CoV present in bats. It shares pathogenic characteristics with its close relatives, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. 15 to 20% of the patients develop a severe clinical course. Up to date there are no effective antiviral drugs or vaccines. For an adecuate control it is essential to learn about epidemiological, pathogenic and molecular aspects. In this review some basic information about epidemiology, origin source, structure and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 is presented.