The virus, which is found on Oahu and the Big Island, causes poor quality, ring spot blemished papaya fruits, and the eventual death of the plant.
Aphids transmit the virus from infected papaya plants to healthy plants.
Since there is no cure for the virus, these plants are destroyed by the growers. Although it is safe to eat fruits from an infected plant, such fruits are of no commercial value due to its lesser quality. University of Hawaii researchers are exploring ways to grow good quality papayas in PRV infested areas. Once inoculated, the plant is able to produce good quality fruits while being temporarily resistant to the severe PRV strain. Another method being research is genetically engineered resistance where a gene of PRV is transferred into papaya plants to produce PRV resistance.