A novel TBEV strain (WH2012) was isolated from northern China and its full-length genome was sequenced.
WH2012 was capable of inducing cytopathic effects in human brain-derived cell lines of three origins.
WH2012 replicated most efficiently in human neuroblastoma cells SK-N-SH.
Intracerebral inoculation of virus led to complete paralysis in the hindlimbs and 100% mortality in mice.