A prediction of a Coronavirus-like outbreak was made by Indian scientists in a book published in October 2019.



The research paper containing the prediction itself could have been still older by a year or six months.



This paper predicts the possibility of an outbreak of the kind currently being seen.



The book, Handbook on Biological Warfare Preparedness is a collection of papers on the subject edited by Dr Swaran Jeet Singh Flora and Dr Vidhu Pachauri.

Dr. SJS Flora, now director of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) has done research in the field of prevention of biological and chemical warfare for 38 years.



He has also contributed in the field of heavy metal toxicology.



Dr Vidhu Pachauri is senior research fellow at Defence Research Development Establishment, Gwalior, India.



The paper, 'Next generation agents (synthetic agents): Emerging threats and challenges in detection, protection, and decontamination' forms chapter 12 of the book.



It is authored by Anshul Sharma et al. from the Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University.



Here is the relevant passage from the paper: