Finding the agent causing hepatopancreatic necrosis in farmed shrimp

The Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that with the support of international organizations and leading experts in aquatic pathology, the research on the agent causing Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS) in farmed shrimp has had initial results.

According to research, the causative agent was identified as Vibrio parahaemolytics bacteria.

This bacteria was infected by a type of bacteriophage (phagc) that produces a very strong toxin that causes AHPNS syndrome in farmed shrimp. At the same time, this bacteria does not carry the TDH gene (a gene that causes direct hemolysis and resistance to temperature) that can cause disease in humans.

Dead shrimp in a shrimp pond in Vinh Trach commune, Bac Lieu. (Photo: Huynh Su/VNA)

To effectively prevent AHPNS syndrome and reduce damage to aquaculture farmers, the Department of Animal Health recommends that the Department of Animal Health and the Department of Fisheries of provinces and cities implement many measures.

Specifically, shrimp farming facilities are instructed to buy shrimp from reputable, quality-assured hatcheries with quarantine certificates from veterinary agencies; only use quality-assured feed, while ensuring good farming environmental conditions to increase shrimp resistance.

In addition, newly released shrimp must be closely monitored. When shrimp show unusual signs, it must be reported immediately to the veterinary agency for timely handling; ensure periodic pond emptying or switch to raising other species to cut off the life cycle of pathogens.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine, Fisheries and Aquaculture needs to strictly manage the transportation of shrimp larvae and commercial shrimp in the country to avoid the spread of pathogens; strictly inspect and control the use of drugs, biological products, microorganisms, and chemicals used in aquaculture that must be on the list of permitted circulation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to the Department of Animal Health, since 2011, a new disease causing AHPNS in farmed shrimp has caused great damage over a large area in the southern provinces, especially serious in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

AHPNS epidemic continued to occur in most coastal provinces across the country and was extremely complicated in 2012.

The Department of Animal Health is continuing to coordinate with domestic and foreign research agencies and experts, and FAO-supported projects to study the agents, disease transmission process, diagnostic processes, and effective disease prevention and treatment measures./.

According to (TTXVN) - VT