Aquaculture for all

White Spot Disease Threatens Kerali Shrimp Farmers

Crustaceans Biosecurity Welfare +5 more

INDIA - Shrimp farming is a means of livelihood for thousands of Keralites residing along the states coastline, but a sudden attack of white spot disease is threatening to lay waste to all their success.

According to the shrimp health management extension manual released by the MPEDA - NACA, the average annual production loss due to the disease in India amounts to 350-400 cr in the last 15 years.

Soon after the detection of the disease, the state Fisheries Department formed a monitoring, control and surveillances committee (MCS committee) for the effective management of shrimp/fish health in the culture field, reports ExpressBuzz.

According to the news organisation, he has already started awareness camps and study classes for the farmers spread over the coast of Kerala.

“The white spot disease (WSD) is caused by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). It is one of the most virulent among aquatic viruses. Studies indicate that a WSSV outbreak can occur at any stage of farming and affected shrimps have white, initially circular, spots within the cuticle or on the body,” said Nair.

WSSV can be transmitted by several routes - shrimp seeds, water, carrier animals and transfer of infected animals and farm equipment from one farm to another. According to ExpressBuzz, there is no cure or treatment; the only solution is prevention.

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