Hyderabad — Officials from Andhra Pradesh’s Fisheries Department reported that laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of white gut disease in shrimp farms across several ponds in the West Godavari district. The department’s team collected samples of shrimp, pond water, faeces and feed before verifying the disease’s characteristic symptoms, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The department warned aqua‑farmers to intensify bio‑security measures and to seek immediate veterinary assistance. “If left unchecked, the disease can spread rapidly and cause significant mortality, threatening the livelihood of farmers in the region,” the statement said.
The sample‑collection effort, carried out by a joint team of fisheries officials and veterinary pathologists, involved testing for bacterial and viral agents commonly associated with white gut disease. The findings, which were later confirmed by the state’s animal husbandry laboratory, indicated that the pathogen is present in both the shrimp and the surrounding environment, raising concerns about cross‑contamination through feed and water sources.
Farmers in the affected villages have reported sudden losses of shrimp stock over the past week. Local aquaculture cooperatives have begun disseminating guidelines on pond sanitation, disinfection of equipment, and the use of disease‑resistant shrimp seed. The department has also announced a rapid‑response fund to subsidise diagnostic testing and the procurement of certified disease‑free seed for affected growers.
Analysis:
White gut disease, caused primarily by the bacterium Vibrio spp., is a recurring problem in Indian brackish‑water shrimp culture. Outbreaks typically surge during the monsoon season when water quality deteriorates and farms become more vulnerable to pathogen spread. The confirmation of the disease in West Godavari underscores a broader vulnerability in the state’s aquaculture sector, which contributes roughly 30 % of India’s total shrimp export earnings.
The department’s swift sampling and public warning may help contain the outbreak, but effectiveness will depend on farmers’ ability to implement recommended bio‑security measures. Many small‑scale operators lack access to certified disease‑free seed and may be reluctant to incur additional costs for testing. Moreover, the region’s dense network of interconnected ponds can facilitate rapid transmission if containment protocols are not uniformly applied.
Stakeholders, including the Andhra Pradesh shrimp growers’ association, have called for greater state support, urging the government to expand the rapid‑response fund and to provide training on early disease detection. If containment fails, the outbreak could depress shrimp harvests, impact export contracts, and trigger price volatility in domestic markets.
The Fisheries Department has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to release further updates as more data become available.
Sources
– The Hindu, “Fisheries department officials warn aqua farmers of ‘White Gut Disease’ outbreak,” https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/fisheries-department-officials-warn-aqua-farmers-of-white-gut-disease-outbreak/article71189099.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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