Plankton may be spreading a herpes-like virus that has been devastating Pacific oyster farms across the world.

Since 2008, POMS, caused by the ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1), has been killing Pacific oysters in countries ranging from France, and the UK to Spain and the US.

[Veterinary scientist Dr. Richard Whittington of the University of Sydney] says under some conditions, plankton can transfer tens of kilometres with oceanic currents.

It’s a little sad to realize that even oysters are subject to the Herpes virus.

I would suggest that they might benefit from a safe sex campaign, but plankton as a vector seems like the oyster equivalent of an airborne Ebola Zaire with comparable mortality rates.

Via ABC Science.