The emergence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, originating from the Huanan South China Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, has raised concerns reminiscent of the SARS-CoV outbreak nearly two decades ago. Similar to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, 2019-nCoV causes viral pneumonia with symptoms including fever, difficulty breathing, and bilateral lung infiltration. The virus was identified on January 9, 2020, and has since spread to other parts of China and internationally, with 26 fatalities reported as of January 24, 2020. The virus is less virulent than SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but it has affected older individuals and those with underlying health conditions more severely. The source of 2019-nCoV remains unknown, but it is suspected to have originated from a bat, possibly through intermediate animal vectors. The rapid sequencing of the 2019-nCoV genome, completed within a month of its identification, has facilitated research and diagnostic testing. The virus is classified as a group 2B coronavirus, sharing ~80% nucleotide identity with SARS-CoV and closely related to bat coronaviruses. The spike protein of 2019-nCoV has ~75% amino acid identity with SARS-CoV, and it is capable of binding to human ACE2 receptors, suggesting human-to-human transmission. The outbreak has raised concerns about human-to-human spread, particularly among healthcare workers, and the potential for super-spreading events. The use of social media has played a significant role in disseminating information and facilitating global collaboration in response to the outbreak. Despite the challenges, the global scientific community is engaged and prepared to combat the new virus strain, highlighting the lessons learned from previous outbreaks like SARS and MERS.The emergence of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, originating from the Huanan South China Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, has raised concerns reminiscent of the SARS-CoV outbreak nearly two decades ago. Similar to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, 2019-nCoV causes viral pneumonia with symptoms including fever, difficulty breathing, and bilateral lung infiltration. The virus was identified on January 9, 2020, and has since spread to other parts of China and internationally, with 26 fatalities reported as of January 24, 2020. The virus is less virulent than SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but it has affected older individuals and those with underlying health conditions more severely. The source of 2019-nCoV remains unknown, but it is suspected to have originated from a bat, possibly through intermediate animal vectors. The rapid sequencing of the 2019-nCoV genome, completed within a month of its identification, has facilitated research and diagnostic testing. The virus is classified as a group 2B coronavirus, sharing ~80% nucleotide identity with SARS-CoV and closely related to bat coronaviruses. The spike protein of 2019-nCoV has ~75% amino acid identity with SARS-CoV, and it is capable of binding to human ACE2 receptors, suggesting human-to-human transmission. The outbreak has raised concerns about human-to-human spread, particularly among healthcare workers, and the potential for super-spreading events. The use of social media has played a significant role in disseminating information and facilitating global collaboration in response to the outbreak. Despite the challenges, the global scientific community is engaged and prepared to combat the new virus strain, highlighting the lessons learned from previous outbreaks like SARS and MERS.