Author: Speedy Assay Editorial

EHP remains as a Big Nuisance for Asian shrimp farms in 2021

The Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is an emerging hepatopancreatic microsporidian parasite that affects cultured shrimp black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Malaysia, as well as other Southeast Asia countries. EHP can be transmitted horizontally among prawns cohabiting in rearing ponds. Heavily infected prawns may display white faeces that are packed with microsporidian spores.

Unlike the more fatal bacterial infections such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and EMS, EHP causes great reduction of the rate of shrimp growth, and in more advanced stages, infected shrimp have soft shells and exhibit lethargy, reduced feeding and empty midguts. This means if the disease left undetected, farmers can waste considerable sums on feeding shrimp that is no longer growing at an economical rate.

Australia Shrimp Sector Hit by WSSV

White spot disease (WSD) is a highly contagious viral disease of decapod crustaceans including prawns, crabs, yabbies and lobsters. White spot disease is caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).

As of January 2021, the Australian government is in discussion of regulating import of shrimps on a stricter basis of requirement including compulsory cooking of imported shrimp. This regulation is due to reports of shrimps in local habitat being infected with White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV).

IHHNV Outbreaks at Shrimp Farms in USA

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported in June 2019 that there have been two outbreaks of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) in the United States. One of the outbreaks occurred in a recirculating shrimp farm in Aransas County, Texas, and the other outbreak occurred in Indian River County on the East Coast of Florida.

Queeensland Shrimp Sector Hit by Whitespot Virus

Two shrimp farms in Queensland, Australia has been severely damaged by infection of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), causing a state-wide panic among the shrimp sectors in Australia. This WSSV detection is the first occurrence since the last two years and it was discovered by Biosecurity Queensland officials during a routine testing in farms around Queensland.

State authorities are now ensuring that this infection is contained before it spreads to other shrimp farms because they want to avoid a repeat of the same incident in 2016. In 2016, shrimp stocks in seven shrimp farms destroyed by the WSSV, leading to a loss of almost $400 million dollars. This crippled the income of shrimp farmers and the shrimp sector.