Tien Hai: Preventing and controlling white spot disease in shrimp.

Báo Thái Bình•23/05/2023

In recent days, white spot disease in shrimp has appeared in aquaculture areas in several communes in Tien Hai district. To proactively prevent and control the disease, the district has directed localities to implement comprehensive measures to prevent it from spreading widely.

Aquaculture farmers in Tien Hai district are focusing on treating the pond environment after shrimp farming areas were affected by white spot disease.

For the spring-summer aquaculture season, the Hai Chau Aquaculture Production and Business Cooperative in Dong Minh commune has planted 130 hectares, mainly focusing on whiteleg shrimp, sea bass, and crabs. In recent days, the weather has been erratic, with alternating sunshine and rain directly affecting the aquatic species, including the appearance of white spot disease in shrimp. To prevent and control the disease, the cooperative has disseminated information to aquaculture households to proactively care for and protect their aquaculture areas according to the planned schedule.

Mr. Truong Xuan Hoi, Director of Hai Chau Aquatic Products Production and Business Cooperative, said: As of May 14th, the area of shrimp farms affected by white spot disease in Dong Minh was 14,760 ^{square meters} belonging to 13 households. In recent days, the cooperative has intensified its efforts to visit infected shrimp farming areas to guide farmers in implementing measures to treat the pond environment. The focus is on improving the shrimp's resistance in areas not yet affected by white spot disease.

Not only the shrimp farming areas of Dong Minh commune but also communes such as Nam Thang, Nam Cuong, and Nam Thinh suffered losses due to white spot disease. In the ^2,160m² shrimp farming area affected by white spot disease, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luan, from Chi Cuong village, Nam Cuong commune, promptly treated the diseased shrimp and simultaneously treated the pond environment with chlorine to prevent the disease from spreading to the ponds of neighboring households.

Mr. Luan shared: "White spot disease in shrimp causes losses for shrimp farmers every year. Shrimp get white spot disease because the water environment in the ponds is not properly maintained, coupled with changing weather conditions, alternating between rain and sunshine, which causes the disease to develop. To limit white spot disease in shrimp, we farmers mainly focus on treating the pond environment to prevent the disease from spreading further, ensuring that aquatic disease prevention and control measures are implemented according to the regulations of the relevant professional sector."

Mr. Pham Van Vang, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Tien Hai District, said: For the spring-summer aquaculture season, the entire district stocked 233 million shrimp. By May 14th, white spot disease had appeared in shrimp farming areas in the communes of Nam Thang, Nam Thinh, Nam Cuong, and Dong Minh, affecting 97,793 ^square meters belonging to 43 households. Upon receiving the information, the Department coordinated with specialized agencies to collect samples of diseased shrimp for testing. The test results confirmed that the cause of death was white spot disease. To control the spread of white spot disease, the district has disseminated information to aquaculture households to thoroughly disinfect and treat ponds with chlorine chemicals to control the outbreak. Strict monitoring of the collection and disposal of dead shrimp is being carried out according to regulations to avoid affecting the surrounding environment. Along the roads leading to shrimp farming areas, people are advised to sprinkle lime powder and use fine mesh nets, tarpaulins, or other protective coverings around the ponds to prevent insects from entering and carrying diseases to the shrimp. Absolutely do not add water from outside the common water supply system to the ponds without first verifying the safety of the water source. Regularly use biological products to improve the water environment, control pH and alkalinity, and reduce toxic gases. Maintain and stabilize the pond environment and enhance the shrimp's resistance according to the guidance of relevant professional staff.

For shrimp farming areas that have not yet been affected by white spot disease, the district is intensifying propaganda and guidance on farming techniques and disease prevention, as well as environmental disinfection in shrimp farming areas for households. It is also directing and assigning officials to closely monitor aquaculture areas to provide technical guidance, inspect, and supervise farming practices and disease outbreaks.