Virus Infection Linked to Seafood Confirmed in China: Cases of Blindness Reported

"71% of Patients Infected with Virus Had Consumed Seafood"
Investigation Underway on Why the Eye Is Targeted

Photo for article illustration purposes only. Not directly related. Pixabay

A new eye disease associated with seafood consumption is spreading in China, with some patients reportedly experiencing blindness. The virus is transmitted to humans through raw seafood, causing severe vision impairment.

According to a recent study published in the international journal 'Nature Microbiology' by Dr. Liu Shuang's research team at the Qingdao Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, it was confirmed that viruses originating from aquatic animals could cause eye diseases in humans.

The disease in question is ‘persistent ocular hypertension viral anterior uveitis’ (POH-VAU). This condition is characterized by inflammation of the eye and elevated intraocular pressure, which can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss similar to glaucoma. The number of related patients is increasing in China, and some cases have shown irreversible vision loss.

The research team conducted an epidemiological study on 70 patients diagnosed with POH-VAU in China from January 2022 to April last year. The investigation found that 71% of the patients had experience handling seafood or consuming raw fish.

The highest risk was seen in those who handled aquatic animals without protective equipment, accounting for 54% of cases. Infection through the consumption of raw fish, such as sashimi, followed at 17%.

All patients received medication to suppress inflammation; however, about one-third of them did not respond to drugs and required surgical treatment. Notably, one patient suffered complete loss of vision.

In the peripheral iris tissue of patients who underwent surgery, infection with covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV) was confirmed. CMNV is a newly identified virus primarily found in whiteleg shrimp and is known to be a lethal pathogen for shrimp.

Animal experiments further confirmed the link between the virus and eye disease. In infection tests conducted on mice, clear pathological changes were observed in the cornea, iris, and retina within one month. The virus was also found to be transmitted among mice sharing the same breeding environment.

The research team suggested, based on these findings, that seafood-derived viruses could be associated with the development of human diseases. They emphasized the need for global patient surveillance and extensive sampling, particularly in countries with developed aquaculture industries and high seafood consumption. However, the exact mechanism by which this virus specifically targets the human eye remains unclear.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.