Molecular evolution and spatial transmission of Dabieshan tick virus in Jilin Province, northeastern China

Dabieshan tick virus (DBTV), a tick-borne virus belonging to the genus Uukuvirus in the family Phenuiviridae, exhibits potential pathogenicity to humans and animals. However, its geographic distribution and transmission dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 1,352 ticks collected from Jilin Province, China, revealing DBTV prevalence rates of 20.8% in Haemaphysalis concinna and 23.6% in Haemaphysalis longicornis. Additionally, nine recombination events and 14 reassortment events were identified, suggesting close evolutionary relationships between Jilin strains and those from Shandong and Hubei provinces. Bayesian phylodynamic analysis indicates that DBTV likely originated in Hubei 13-80 years ago, subsequently spreading to Shandong and then to Jilin. This study provides critical epidemiological evidence and insights into the genetic evolution of DBTV in northeastern China.