Whole‐genome next‐generation sequencing and phylogenetic characterization of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus in Korea

Whole‐genome next‐generation sequencing was used to investigate the local evolution of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus, a serious pathogen affecting economically important fish such as rainbow trout and turbot in Europe and olive flounder in Asia. Sequence analysis showed that all isolates were genotype IVa, but could be classified further into four subgroups (K1–K4). In addition, genomic regions encompassing the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, matrix protein and non‐virion protein genes, as well as the seven non‐coding regions, were relatively conserved, whereas glycoprotein and RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase genes were variable in the coding region. Taken together, the data demonstrate that whole‐genome next‐generation sequencing may be useful for future surveillance, prevention and control strategies against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia.