White Spot Viral Disease in Penaeid Shrimp – A Review

The global aquaculture of penaeid shrimp has grown rapidly during the past two decades. In 1998, world shrimp farmers produced an estimated 737 200 t of whole shrimp (this includes 530 200 t from the eastern hemisphere and 207 000t from the western hemisphere), a record 12% increase from the 660 200 t produced in 1997 (Rosenberry 1998, 1999). The shrimp farming sector suffered a serious setback during 1995-96. Lack of technically qualified manpower, improper site selection, defective farm design, rapid intensification, overcrowding of farms in restricted locations and disproportionate development of the industry relative to supply of quality farm inputs paved the way for poor environmental conditions in ponds. The ultimate effect of the above-mentioned problems was serious disease outbreaks. Two dozen diseases of shrimp occur sporadically in shrimp farms, but none of these have caused serious harm to the industry. However, the recent disease caused by a viral pathogen (white spot viral disease) during 1993–1994 delivered a lethal blow to the global shrimp farming industry, which could not Abstract The white spot viral disease in penaeid shrimp affects the development of the global shrimp industry. This paper reviews the viruses that cause the disease, the transmission of the virus, diagnosis and preventive measures. White Spot Viral Disease in Penaeid Shrimp – A Review