Co-circulation of distinct shrew-borne hantaviruses in the far east of Russia

•The reservoir host for two distinct hantaviruses, Lena and Artybash, is Sorex caecutiens.•Sorex caecutiens and Sores tundrensis harbor Artybash virus.•Three species of shrew-borne hantaviruses co-circulate in the same ecological niche. Insectivores are the new emerging reservoir of hantaviruses. Here, we describe Lena virus (LENV), a novel hantavirus harbored by the Laxmann`s shrew (Sorex caecutiens), which is also the host of Artybash virus (ARTV). Genetic analysis of the complete genomic sequence shows that LENV is in distant relation to ARTV and other Sorex-borne hantaviruses, suggesting that LENV has emerged from cross-species transmission. Additionally, new genetic variant of ARTV, designated as ARTV-St, was identified in tundra shrews (Sorex tundrensis). Finally, distinct insectivore-borne hantaviruses are co-circulating in the same localities of far eastern Russia: LENV, ARTV and Yakeshi in the forest site, while ARTV, ARTV-St, and Kenkeme virus in the meadow field site.