Recently, online commentary regarding a study recently published in the international journal Nature Microbiology pointed out that the “Covert Mortality Noda Virus (CMNV)” found in aquatic animals in the natural environment appears to have the potential for cross‑species transmission to humans, possibly causing “Persistent High Intraocular Pressure Viral Anterior Uveitis (POH‑VAU)”. The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) states that, so far, only China has reported suspected human CMNV infection cases, distributed across 18 provinces with intensive aquaculture. Major international public‑health agencies such as WHO, the U.S. CDC, and the European ECDC have not reported any CMNV‑related cases nor listed it as an urgent threat. The CDC assesses the domestic transmission risk as extremely low and will continue monitoring together with agricultural authorities.
The CDC further explained that the study hypothesizes that human infection with CMNV may be associated with handling or consuming raw fresh aquatic products, but further evidence is needed to confirm whether the virus can effectively infect human ocular tissue. The CDC emphasizes that, at present, no large‑scale human outbreak or community transmission caused by CMNV has been observed worldwide, and there is no evidence internationally of infection from consuming cooked seafood. The CDC will continue to monitor relevant international outbreaks, while developing human specimen testing technologies and methods, establishing criteria for sample collection and testing, to conduct risk monitoring and early warning.
According to monitoring by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, there have never been CMNV outbreaks in domestic shrimp farms. The CDC’s comprehensive assessment indicates that the domestic transmission risk is extremely low, but both agricultural and health authorities will continue to strengthen monitoring. CMNV has been listed as an emerging infectious disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and infection cases have been reported in shrimp farms in China and Thailand. The CDC urges travelers to China and Thailand to pay special attention to preventing CMNV, to ensure seafood is thoroughly cooked, for high‑risk groups (such as those with chronic diseases) to avoid consuming raw seafood, and when handling fresh aquatic products, to wear gloves; if the hands have wounds, avoid direct contact with raw ingredients, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling to reduce the risk of various pathogen infections.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Surveillance Office
