Discovery of lanama virus, a distinct member of species Kunsagivirus C (Picornavirales: Picornaviridae), in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

We report the discovery and sequence-based molecular characterization of a novel virus, lanama virus (LNMV), in blood samples obtained from two wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), sampled near Lake Nabugabo, Masaka District, Uganda. Sequencing of the complete viral genomes and subsequent phylogenetic analysis identified LNMV as a distinct member of species Kunsagivirus C, in the undercharacterized picornavirid genus Kunsagivirus.