Viral diseases of shrimp in the Philippines

Abstract

Shrimp is a high-value commodity and one of the major aquaculture species in the world, including the Philippines. The shrimp farming industry is dominated by the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon and the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. Intensification in shrimp aquaculture to meet the global demand resulted to several socio-economic and biophysical production bottlenecks. Consequently, the issues besetting the industry had raised several questions on its sustainability. In particular, viral diseases remain a constant threat and a significant concern in many shrimp producing countries especially in the developing world. In this chapter, current knowledge on major viral pathogens affecting shrimp aquaculture in the Philippines is presented and discussed. The discussion is focused on white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), monodon baculovirus (MBV), infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV). yellow head virus (YHV), and taura syndrome virus (TSV). Updates on their clinical signs, transmission and distribution are presented. Records of incidence in the Philippines are provided as well. The second half of the chapter discusses some of the methods how to control viral diseases in shrimp farming with a particular focus on vaccination, biosecurity and diagnostics.