First Autochthonous Human SFTS Virus Cases Documented in Inner Mongolia

Researchers have confirmed the first detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus RNA in serum samples from two febrile patients in Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia. Identified in 2022, these infections represent the first documented autochthonous human cases in this northern Chinese province, where the virus had previously been detected only in tick populations without prior clinical human reports.

The two clinical cases involved a 41-year-old male and a 44-year-old female, both presenting with a history of arthropod bites along with thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Following antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapy, both patients recovered. Laboratory characterization yielded two viral isolates, designated ZF53-NM-2022 and ZF96-NM-2022, both classified under genotype C3.

Concurrently, tick virome sequencing conducted on Dermacentor nuttalli specimens collected from Erenhot City in 2024 identified a near-complete viral genome from a single pool. Designated ELH_tick_2024, this isolate was also classified as genotype C3 but forms a distinct divergent lineage, exhibiting a partial gap in the nucleoprotein open reading frame attributable to low viral RNA abundance.

Providing the first laboratory-confirmed evidence of autochthonous human infection alongside genomic detection in local ticks, the case report highlights the expanding geographic distribution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The authors concluded that these findings demonstrate the emergence of the pathogen in Inner Mongolia and underscore the necessity for enhanced clinical awareness and expanded surveillance across northern China.

Subject of Research: First human cases and genomic detection of SFTS virus in Inner Mongolia

Article Title: Emergence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in northern China: first human cases and genomic evidence from Inner Mongolia

Article References: Lv, X., Tian, X., Wang, B., Tian, L., Xiao, J., Li, C., Qian, J., Fu, J., Wu, J., Han, S., Xia, H., Deng, F., Shen, S., Yin, F., & Wu, X. (2026). Emergence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in northern China: first human cases and genomic evidence from Inner Mongolia. Virology Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-026-03352-6

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12985-026-03352-6

Keywords: severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, SFTSV, tick-borne disease, Inner Mongolia, Dermacentor nuttalli, genotype C3, virology, case report, Emergence, severe, fever, thrombocytopenia