Identification of four novel subgenotypes (C13-C16) and two inter-genotypic recombinants (C12/G and C13/B3) of hepatitis B virus in Papua Province, Indonesia

► In this study, we identified and characterized four novel HBV subgenotypes (C13−C16) in Papua, Indonesia. ► Two inter-genotypic recombinants (C12/G and C13/B3), displaying recombination breakpoints in the 5′-terminus of the P gene, were also found. ► The distribution of indigenous subgenotypes C11−C16 was associated with particular language speakers in Papua.