SSaDV has been suggested to be an etiological agent of sea star wasting disease, but conclusive evidence has not yet been obtained.

[2][3] More recently, densoviruses associated with echinoderms were recognized as forming persistent infections in their hosts [4] and become endogenized within sea star genomic DNA.

[5] SSaDV occurs in sea stars from southern Alaska to Baja California.

[1] The virus was observed in wasting Pycnopodia helianthoides, and detected in small quantities in healthy sea stars and aquarium sediments.

[1] A similar virus infecting sea stars on the Atlantic Coast of North America is found in only healthy specimens.