The customary and usual meaning of the term "virus" is that it can "infect" and that it attempts to spread something. The term was used in the report, but is so frequently misused to mean "anything you don't want on the computer" that it's difficult to know when a reporter knows what (s)he's talking about or is just quoting someone who didn't.

The article (at the link) appeared to "de-emphasize" any risk that this malware could/would be spread, but a healthy dose of embarrassment could account for "neglecting to mention" all possible risks, especially in a "first report" of something recently discovered when all the risks aren't fully known.

The source that sent me the report is a reliable one (at least they tell me they are) but since it came from a UK publisher ... ... one never knows ... .

John