根据现有的数据，新型冠状病毒(2019 novel coronavirus，2019-nCoV)比严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus，SARS-CoV)的传染性强、传播速度快、疫情规模大、病死率低。其传染性、传播速度和疫情规模似乎具有甲型流感病毒(influenza A virus)的特点。尽管2019-nCoV来源于何种动物尚无定论，但它与SARS-CoV同属冠状病毒，具有共同之处。如果流行过后 2019-nCoV没能在人群中持续传播和存在(如同SARS-CoV一样)，则控制野生动物传染源乃重中之重；如果2019-nCoV获得了能在人群中持续传播的能力，预防控制策略将与SARS-CoV明显不同，疫苗便成为至关重要的手段。

Current observations demonstrated that comparing compared with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is more infectious judged by transmission rate, epidemic scale and lower mortality. Its human-to-human spreading power is similar to influenza virus. Although the animal origin of the 2019-nCoV is still not identified, it should have something in common with SARS-CoV, since both of them are members of coronavirus. If the 2019-nCoV could not persistently exist in the population, like SARS-CoV, the control of wild animal infectious sources should be the top priority. If 2019-nCoV could persistently exist in the population, the vaccination will become a crucial means for prevention and control of the disease.