Coronavirus 'may never go away,' could become endemic like HIV, WHO official warns

The coronavirus spreading across the globe might never be eliminated, a leading World Health Organization official has said.

The novel coronavirus might "never go away" and instead could take on a status similar to HIV or AIDS, according to a top official at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Mike Ryan, who serves as the agency's authority on emergencies, told an online briefing Wednesday that the virus might be impervious to total obliteration, Reuters reported.

“It is important to put this on the table: This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away,” he said.

More than 4.3 million cases of the virus have been recorded worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University's latest tally.

Multiple teams of scientists around the world are currently trying to develop a viable coronavirus vaccine.

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"We may have a shot at eliminating this virus but that vaccine will have to be available, it will have to be highly effective, it will have to be made available to everyone and we'll have to use it," Ryan said. "This disease may settle into a long-term problem or it may not."

WHO infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove struck a more optimistic tone during Wednesday's briefing.

"The trajectory of this outbreak is in our hands," Van Kerkhove said. "The global community has come together to work in solidarity. We have seen countries bring this virus under control. We have seen countries use public health measures."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed that sentiment, adding: "We should all contribute to stop this pandemic."