The Pacific lineage (2E) of JC polyomavirus is prevalent in Sumba Island, Eastern Indonesia

Recent studies have identified a Pacific lineage (2E) of JC polyomavirus (also designated as JC virus or JCV) that occurs in both Island Southeast Asia and Oceania, but not in mainland Asia. It has been postulated that this lineage traveled with Austronesian-speaking people who are now spread throughout Island Southeast Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia and inland and southern New Guinea). However, to date, the 2E lineage has been identified in Southeast Asia only in populations of the Philippine islands. Here we report that a high incidence of the 2E lineage was detected in the people of Sumba Island, eastern Indonesia.