Identification of a Novel Genotype of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) in Northern Hebei Province, China

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Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), is an emerging tick-borne disease in East Asia. SFTS monitoring has been carried out since 2010 in mainland China, but no confirmed human cases or infected vectors had been reported from the northern regions of Hebei Province. We intensified surveillance in this area by collecting serum samples from patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and ticks from local habitats. Subsequently, all collected samples were screened for SFTSV by qRT-PCR. SFTSV RNA was detected in two patient sera from Chengde (2.2%). In six, positive ticks were detected among the Haemaphysalis verticalis (8.6%) collected from Zhangjiakou; no positive ticks were detected among the ticks collected from Chengde. Complete viral genomes were recovered from positive tick samples via next-generation sequencing and subjected to a suite of bioinformatic analyses. Two complete genomes from Haemaphysalis verticalis formed a distinct clade with an Inner Mongolia strain across L/M/S (bootstrap = 1.0) and separate from genotypes A–F; pairwise p-distances to genotypes A–F were >0.11 across L/M/S, supporting designation of a distinct genotype. We designate this lineage as genotype G; no credible recombination was detected. Based on the L segment, molecular-clock analyses dated the genotype G lineage to the late 13th century, predating the crown age of genotypes A–F (~18th century) by more than 400 years. We provide the first evidence of SFTSV circulation in northern Hebei and identify a novel, deeply divergent lineage. This finding confirms the co-circulation of distinct viral lineages (G and F) within the province and provides critical new insights into the virus’s diversity and evolutionary history. These results expand the known range and genetic diversity of SFTSV, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and ecological investigation in emerging regions. It is necessary to strengthen public health education, improve the early diagnosis and treatment ability of medical workers, and provide a scientific basis for targeted public health interventions.
Funding Information
  • Research on Surveillance and Early Warning Technologies for Unknown and Emerging Pathogens (ZDGWNLJS25-25)
  • Hebei Provincial Medical Science Research Project (20260864)

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