The INP explained each of the points on the Contingency Plan. First, the disease and its causative agent, a virulent strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which begins colonising the digestive tract of the shrimp and once there, the toxins cause dysfunction of the hepatopancreas.
According to experts, the main visible signs of AHPND appear between 10 to 30 days after sowing of post larvae, and it is important to be alert to the manifestations that may appear in infected specimens such as: pale coloration of the hepatopancreas (sometimes with visible dark spots or stripes), empty stomach and digestive tract.
The INP introduced a series of measures that strengthen the prevention system and thus prevent the introduction and/or spread of the disease in the country.
Among them, which is of greater importance is the maintenance and enforcement of the Ministerial Agreement 043, which establishes the sanitary barrier for live shrimp at any stage and its products, and other inputs for aquaculture use from countries affected by the disease.
It also promotes the use of good aquaculture practices and biosecurity measures: maintaining good water quality in the pools, use of adequate ventilation mechanisms, use of a high quality feed, avoiding environmental stress and controlling the population density in order to avoid overcrowding.
