Metavirome analysis of virus diversity in dairy cattle in Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia regions of China

The Shanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region is a significant animal farming area in northwestern China, characterized by ample natural resources and extensive territory, with dairy farming playing a crucial role in the region's economy. However, the region lacks data on viral diversity and relatively backward etiological research, resulting in insufficient prevention and control capabilities and frequent occurrence of infectious diseases. Therefore, conducting macro-viromics analyses is essential to understand viral diversity and the epidemiological trends of significant pathogens. Between 2021 and 2023, 790 nasal and anal swab samples from dairy cows were obtained from 13 large-scale farms and farmers in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region.