Scientists Link Mysterious Oyster Deaths to a Newly Discovered Virus

Scientists Link Mysterious Oyster Deaths to a Newly Discovered Virus
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A new virus, provisionally named Pacific Oyster Nidovirus 1 (PONV1), has been identified as the cause of mass die-offs of farmed Pacific oysters on Canada’s Pacific coast, Earth.com reported. Scientists at the University of British Columbia discovered the pathogen during a mortality event in 2020. The virus was found in dead farmed oysters, but not in wild oysters from the same area.

The discovery, published by Earth.com, is significant because PONV1 has one of the largest RNA genomes ever recorded, leading researchers to propose a new virus family, Megarnaviridae. The findings suggest that these viruses are widespread but the new strain is genetically unique.

Researchers emphasize that the virus does not pose a threat to human health. However, the discovery highlights the need for better monitoring and disease prevention in shellfish aquaculture, as the practice of importing juvenile oysters may be introducing hidden pathogens. This research is seen as a key step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the oyster industry.