Since then, AltMV has been identified in various ornamental plants in Italy,[2] the United States (Maryland and Pennsylvania,[3] Florida,[4] and New York),[5] and Brazil.

[7][8] Sequencing has shown that the core region of the capsid protein is only 79.8% identical to PapMV at the nucleotide level.

Some cultivars of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), and black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) also became systemically infected.

These viruses occur in high concentration in their hosts and are transmitted easily by mechanical means (tools, leaf contact etc.).

International trade of ornamental plants propagated by infected cuttings can and probably has spread the disease worldwide.