Isolation, molecular characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of encephalomyocarditis virus from South China tigers in China

•We described the first occurrence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) from South China tigers in China.•The EMCV isolate related closely with Chinese isolates from pig.•Animal experiments showed that the isolate was fatal and caused clinical symptoms and pathological changes.•The study expends the species range for fatal EMCV infection, providing new epidemiologic data on EMCV in China.