A dynamic nomenclature proposal for SARS-CoV-2 to assist genomic epidemiology

Andrew Rambaut; Edward C Holmes; Verity Hill; Aine OToole; John McCrone; Chris Ruis; Louis du Plessis; Oliver Pybus

There are currently more than 5000 publicly available complete or near-complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 (as of 10th April 2020) and the number rises daily. This remarkable achievement has been made possible by the rapid genome sequencing and online sharing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes by public health and research teams worldwide. These genomes have the potential to provide invaluable insights into the ongoing evolution and epidemiology of the virus during the global pandemic and will likely play an important role in its eventual mitigation and control. Despite such a wealth of data, there is currently no coherent system for naming and discussing the growing number of phylogenetic lineages that comprise the population diversity of this virus, with conflicting ad hoc and informal systems of virus nomenclature in circulation. A nomenclature system is urgently required before scientific literature and communication become further confused.