We screened samples from common shrews (Sorex araneus) collected in Germany during 2004-2014 and identified 3 genetically divergent rotaviruses. Virus protein 6 sequence similarities to prototype rotaviruses were low (64.5% rotavirus A, 50.1% rotavirus C [tentative species K], 48.2% rotavirus H [tentative species L]). Shrew-associated rotaviruses might have zoonotic potential.
Keywords: Germany; Sorex araneus; common shrew; diarrheal disease; enteric infections; epidemiology; next-generation sequencing; phylogeny; rotavirus; rotavirus A; rotavirus C; rotavirus H; shrews; tentative species; virus diversity; viruses; zoonoses.