Link Found Between Virus Affecting Marine Life and Chronic Eye Diseases in Humans

The virus, known as the concealed mortality nodavirus (CMNV), was previously detected only in shrimp and fish. However, in recent years, China has witnessed a rapid increase in cases of persistent ocular hypertension and viral uveitis (POH-VAU). The causes of these conditions had remained unclear until now.

Patients suffering from these diseases reported abnormally high intraocular pressure and severe inflammatory processes in their eyes. This situation raised alarm among medical professionals as the number of cases continued to rise, and traditional treatment methods failed to yield the desired results. In response, Chinese scientists decided to conduct an extensive study to uncover the underlying causes of these eye diseases.

The study involved 70 patients over a period from January 2022 to April 2025. Researchers utilized electron microscopes to detect viral particles in the tissues of affected individuals, measuring approximately 25 nanometers in size. Genetic analysis confirmed that this pathogen is 98.96% identical to the version of the virus found in aquatic animals, indicating its marine origin.

To definitively prove the virus's culpability, the research team conducted experiments on laboratory mice. Following infection, these animals developed symptoms similar to those observed in humans. This represented a significant step in confirming the hypothesis linking CMNV with ophthalmological diseases.

Additionally, a survey of patients revealed that nearly 75% of them regularly consumed raw seafood or handled it without protective gloves. This finding raised new questions regarding the safety of seafood consumption and the need for precautionary measures during its preparation. Researchers emphasize that this issue has a global dimension, as CMNV has already been detected in 49 species of marine creatures, including crabs and mollusks, across the world—from Europe to Antarctica.

This study marks the first historical confirmation that a waterborne virus can provoke a specific ophthalmological disease in humans. Scientists believe that this discovery necessitates a reevaluation of safety standards regarding the handling of seafood to prevent further spread of this virus among humans.

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