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First report of Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2(GI.2) in China
  • +10
  • Ruibin Qi,
  • Chunchun Meng,
  • Hang Li,
  • Jie Zhu,
  • Qiuhong Miao,
  • Jingyu Tang,
  • Aoxing Tang,
  • Hongyuan Guo,
  • Chuncao Liu,
  • Chuanfeng Li,
  • Zongyan Chen,
  • Qinwen Zhang,
  • Guangqing Liu
Ruibin Qi
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Chunchun Meng
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Hang Li
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Jie Zhu
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Qiuhong Miao
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Jingyu Tang
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Aoxing Tang
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Hongyuan Guo
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Chuncao Liu
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Chuanfeng Li
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Zongyan Chen
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Qinwen Zhang
Qinghai University
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Guangqing Liu
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Abstract

Rabbit haemorrhagic virus (RHDV) is a highly infectious and fatal pathogen to rabbits. Classic RHDV is mainly pathogenic to adult rabbits; however, it is not lethal to young rabbits. Since 2010, a RHDV variant has become prevalent in Europe and the Australian continent. This variant, which was named RHDV2 (GI.2/RHDVb), is highly infectious and fatal to both adult and young rabbits; moreover, its host range is broader than that of classic RHDV (GI.1/G1-6). In May 2020, the first RHDV2 case in China was reported. Here, we report and describe the first RHDV2 case in China. We amplified its complete genome sequence (named SC20-01 strain). The phylogenetic tree showed that the SC20-01 strain is mostly related to two strains isolated in Europe, which indicated that it might have spread from Europe to China. Moreover, Recombination Detection Program software showed that the SC20-01 strain is a G6/RHDV2 recombinant strain. Animal experiments showed that the SC20-01 strain is a highly fatal pathogen to specific-pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits and induces typical clinical symptoms of RHD. Our findings highlight RHDV2 emergence in China and its potential to spread widely. There is a need for more attention on the RHDV2 threat in China and the development of new diagnostic methods and vaccines for preventing the spread of RHDV2.