# Naming diseases The naming of diseases are managed by the [[World Health Organization]] in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as a part of human disease preparedness and response.[^1] Disease names are used for communication about disease prevention, spread, transmissibility, severity, and treatment.[^2] *See also: [[Naming viruses]]* [^1]: [World Health Organization - Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it) [^2]: [World Health Organization - Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it)