The Status of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Islamic Republic of Iran

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the causative virus of disease, is found in most shrimp farming areas in Iran, and it cause large economic losses to the shrimp farming industry. Shrimp aquaculture is an important industry in Iran and plays an important role in aquaculture production. The shrimp production in 2012 was more than 12000 metric tonnes and it is estimated it will reach 20000 tonnes in 2013.White spot syndrome virus is highly virulent in shrimp farms and can spread quickly and - cause up to 100% mortality within 3-7 days. The virus is a very large, enveloped, double stranded DNA (ds DNA) and assigned by ICTV to a new genus Whispovirus and belong to Nimaviridae family. In Iran WSSV first appeared in Khuzestan Province in the south of Iran and later on it appeared in other provinces such as Bushehr, and Sistan and Baluchestan. The aim of this review is to give current information of WSSV in Iran, host ranges, carriers, biology, clinical signs, histopathology, PCR, with emphasis on the effects of WSSV in shrimp aquaculture.