A virus typically found in shrimp and other marine animals can infect human eyes and cause irreversible vision loss, according to a scientific study.
This discovery highlights the growing risk of zoonotic diseases jumping from aquatic ecosystems to humans. Because the infection is linked to the handling and consumption of raw seafood, it suggests that common food-supply chains could serve as pathways for new pathogens.
Researchers in China identified the pathogen, which some reports identify as the shrimp virus CMNV [1], after observing patients with glaucoma-like symptoms [2]. The study found that the virus can cross the species barrier when humans expose their eyes to the pathogen while handling or eating raw fish and shrimp [3].
The virus is not limited to a single species. It has been detected in more than 20 aquatic species [4]. This wide prevalence in marine life increases the likelihood of human exposure in regions where raw seafood is a dietary staple or a primary industry.
Medical professionals said that the resulting eye disease can be severe. While some patients experience symptoms resembling glaucoma, others have suffered permanent damage to their sight [2]. The research was published in early 2026, with findings appearing in scientific reports throughout March and April of this year [2, 3].
Virologists involved in the study said the findings underscore the need for better screening of farmed seafood. The ability of a marine virus to adapt to human ocular tissue represents a significant shift in how these pathogens interact with mammals [3].
“A virus typically found in shrimp and other marine animals can infect human eyes.”
The emergence of an aquatic-to-human ocular infection indicates that zoonotic threats are not limited to terrestrial animals or respiratory transmission. As global seafood consumption and aquaculture expand, the risk of pathogens evolving to bypass the human immune system increases, potentially requiring new safety protocols for raw seafood processing and handling.
