Global resurgence of norovirus GII.17[P17] accompanies shifting phylogeographic connectivity patterns: surveillance in Jiangsu, 2023–2025
- 1Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, National Health Commission, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- 2WHO WPRO Regional Polio Reference Laboratory, NHC Key Laboratory for Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory for Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Abstract
Background: Norovirus GII.17[P17] has re-emerged and has been circulating globally since 2023. In Jiangsu, China, we found that its proportion increased from 2024 onward. Using local surveillance data combined with global sequences, we reconstructed the global spatiotemporal dynamics of GII.17[P17] and explored its evolution and molecular mechanisms.
Methods: Samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing. We used bioinformatics tools to analyze the full viral protein 1 sequences for molecular evolution, spatiotemporal phylogeographic associations, and amino acid changes.
Results: From October 2024 to May 2025, 209 GII.17[P17] outbreaks were reported (approximately 26 per month), while only 23 outbreaks occurred in the full year of 2023 (fewer than 2 per month). In sporadic case surveillance, the proportion of GII.17[P17] increased from 9.6% in 2023 to 62.4% in January–May 2025. The maximum clade credibility tree showed that GII.17[P17] clustered into two large clusters. Most samples from 2024 to 2025 belonged to Lineage 3 of Cluster II. In the phylogenetic network and minimum spanning tree, we identified three core hub strains. Inferred phylogeographic connectivity patterns suggest a shift in the primary centers of viral lineage dispersal from East Asia (Cluster I, 2014–2016) to Northwest Europe (Cluster II, 2021–2025). Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that the current dominant lineage (Lineage 3, Cluster II) exhibited an evolutionary rate of 4.126 × 10 ⁻³ substitutions/site/year (95% HPD: 3.27–4.98 × 10 ⁻³ ), substantially higher than the earlier Cluster I lineages (1.798 × 10 ⁻³ ; 95% HPD: 1.41–2.19 × 10 ⁻³ ; posterior probability >0.99; 95% HPD intervals non-overlapping).
Conclusion: Inferred phylogeographic connectivity patterns indicate that the primary centers of GII.17[P17] lineage dispersal have shifted from East Asia (2014–2016) to Northwest Europe (2021–2025). The current dominant lineage (Lineage 3, Cluster II) exhibits an accelerated evolutionary rate, approximately 2.3-fold faster than Cluster I lineages, and carries lineage-specific amino acid substitutions in antigenic epitopes temporally associated with its global expansion. These findings highlight the value of sustained genomic surveillance in regions with high inferred phylogeographic connectivity for monitoring norovirus evolution.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026global,
title = {{Global resurgence of norovirus GII.17[P17] accompanies shifting phylogeographic connectivity patterns: surveillance in Jiangsu, 2023–2025}},
author = {Chuchu Li and Jinbo Xiao and Jing Ai and Yuanfang Qin and Ke Xu and Liguo Zhu and Shenjiao Wang and Jianguang Fu},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1861818},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1861818/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global resurgence of norovirus GII.17[P17] accompanies shifting phylogeographic connectivity patterns: surveillance in Jiangsu, 2023–2025
AU - Chuchu Li
AU - Jinbo Xiao
AU - Jing Ai
AU - Yuanfang Qin
AU - Ke Xu
AU - Liguo Zhu
AU - Shenjiao Wang
AU - Jianguang Fu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1861818
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1861818/full
AB - Background: Norovirus GII.17[P17] has re-emerged and has been circulating globally since 2023. In Jiangsu, China, we found that its proportion increased from 2024 onward. Using local surveillance data combined with global sequences, we reconstructed the global spatiotemporal dynamics of GII.17[P17] and explored its evolution and molecular mechanisms. Methods: Samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing. We used bioinformatics tools to analyze the full viral protein 1 sequences for molecular evolution, spatiotemporal phylogeographic associations, and amino acid changes. Results: From October 2024 to May 2025, 209 GII.17[P17] outbreaks were reported (approximately 26 per month), while only 23 outbreaks occurred in the full year of 2023 (fewer than 2 per month). In sporadic case surveillance, the proportion of GII.17[P17] increased from 9.6% in 2023 to 62.4% in January–May 2025. The maximum clade credibility tree showed that GII.17[P17] clustered into two large clusters. Most samples from 2024 to 2025 belonged to Lineage 3 of Cluster II. In the phylogenetic network and minimum spanning tree, we identified three core hub strains. Inferred phylogeographic connectivity patterns suggest a shift in the primary centers of viral lineage dispersal from East Asia (Cluster I, 2014–2016) to Northwest Europe (Cluster II, 2021–2025). Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that the current dominant lineage (Lineage 3, Cluster II) exhibited an evolutionary rate of 4.126 × 10 ⁻³ substitutions/site/year (95% HPD: 3.27–4.98 × 10 ⁻³ ), substantially higher than the earlier Cluster I lineages (1.798 × 10 ⁻³ ; 95% HPD: 1.41–2.19 × 10 ⁻³ ; posterior probability >0.99; 95% HPD intervals non-overlapping). Conclusion: Inferred phylogeographic connectivity patterns indicate that the primary centers of GII.17[P17] lineage dispersal have shifted from East Asia (2014–2016) to Northwest Europe (2021–2025). The current dominant lineage (Lineage 3, Cluster II) exhibits an accelerated evolutionary rate, approximately 2.3-fold faster than Cluster I lineages, and carries lineage-specific amino acid substitutions in antigenic epitopes temporally associated with its global expansion. These findings highlight the value of sustained genomic surveillance in regions with high inferred phylogeographic connectivity for monitoring norovirus evolution.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -