Shrimp Disease Management: White Spot and EMS

White spot syndrome and early mortality syndrome devastate shrimp farms worldwide. Prevention through biosecurity and selective breeding improves welfare and sustainability.

Key Facts

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) can kill 100% of infected shrimp within days
Early mortality syndrome (EMS) is caused by pathogenic Vibrio bacteria
Specific pathogen free (SPF) broodstock programmes reduce disease introduction risk
No licensed treatment exists for WSSV — prevention through biosecurity is essential
Disease outbreaks cause mass mortality events representing acute large-scale welfare crises

Welfare Considerations

Mass mortality from WSSV or EMS represents one of the most acute welfare crises in aquaculture — billions of shrimp dying rapidly from viral or bacterial infection. Individual shrimp suffering during disease outbreaks involves immune activation, physiological stress and acute pathology. Preventing outbreaks through SPF broodstock, biosecure water intake, surveillance monitoring and rapid culling of infected ponds prevents the welfare harm of mass mortality. SPF programmes that continuously test and certify broodstock have dramatically reduced WSSV incidence in participating industries.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp from certified SPF or BAP-accredited farms with disease prevention protocols
Support research into WSSV vaccines and sustainable disease management alternatives
Advocate for mandatory disease surveillance and reporting in aquaculture licensing
Reduce shrimp consumption to reduce demand pressure on intensive disease-prone systems
Stay informed about developments in shrimp disease prevention research