Currently in the peak of the main shrimp farming season of 2025, many farming areas in Quynh Luu District (Nghe An) have recorded mass shrimp deaths. Through inspection, specialized authorities determined that the main cause is white spot disease — one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in shrimp.
NEARLY 30 HECTARES OF SHRIMP IN QUYNH BANG COMMUNE SEVERELY INFECTED
At Quynh Bang General Agricultural Cooperative in Quynh Bang Commune, although local people have accumulated much experience and proactively implemented disease prevention measures, the outbreak still spread strongly. Of the more than 80 hectares of stocked ponds, nearly 30 hectares have been infected with white spot disease, causing mass shrimp deaths.
Mr. Ho Dinh Anh, a shrimp farmer in Quynh Bang Commune, said that all three of his family’s ponds were completely damaged, with losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dong. Many other farming households in the area are in a similar situation.
According to Mr. Ho Dang Tam, Director of the Cooperative, the cause was identified as polluted water, prolonged hot weather, and substandard seed stock. However, the fact that local people did not report the situation in time made it difficult to collect samples for testing to accurately determine the disease agent.
DETECTED DANGEROUS PATHOGENS, INCLUDING WHITE SPOT
Mr. Tran Vo Ba, Deputy Director of the Nghe An Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, said that the specialized agency collected 10 diseased shrimp samples from the area for testing. Results showed that 6 out of 10 samples tested positive for the virus causing white spot disease, and the presence of the pathogen causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease was also detected. In particular, authorities are also monitoring a new disease in whiteleg shrimp seed stock — TPD (translucent post-larvae disease) — but the initial test samples were all negative for this disease.
The Sub-Department is continuing to review and compile the affected area in order to distribute treatment chemicals and guide local people in implementing appropriate disease prevention and control measures.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN MONITORING AND PROPER DISEASE PREVENTION
According to statistics from the Quynh Luu District Department of Agriculture and Environment, to date the locality has stocked more than 100 hectares out of the 465 hectares planned for the 2025 main season. However, this period also coincides with unfavorable weather conditions: high temperatures, fluctuating pond environments, and weak shrimp resistance — creating favorable conditions for disease outbreaks and spread.
One worrying reality is that when shrimp show signs of disease, many households do not report it but instead discharge water into the environment on their own, leading to the risk of spreading disease to neighboring areas. The provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health recommends that people absolutely not handle or discharge waste on their own before the cause has been clearly identified, and that they must closely coordinate with specialized agencies for proper technical guidance.
For ponds that are currently stocked, water quality parameters should be checked regularly, aeration should be increased to supplement oxygen in the pond, and vitamins and minerals should be added to strengthen shrimp resistance. Farmers should also install net barriers to prevent crustaceans from entering, thoroughly treat incoming water sources, and absolutely not stock new seed in areas where disease is present.
In addition, applying biosecure farming models such as multi-stage shrimp farming (2–3 stages) is also encouraged to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
IT IS NECESSARY TO FOLLOW THE SEASONAL SCHEDULE AND DISEASE PREVENTION PROCEDURES
The Nghe An Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health is requiring localities with shrimp farming areas to report disease situations fully and promptly. At the same time, it advises people to seriously follow the seasonal schedule and raise awareness of disease prevention, especially for extensive farming, which remains common.
For ponds and lagoons already infected with disease, farmers need to fully carry out the treatment process and renovate the ponds according to technical instructions, ensuring biosecurity before resuming stocking.
SOLUTIONS FOR TREATING WHITE SPOT DISEASE IN FARMED SHRIMP
When white spot disease is detected, farmers need to immediately implement control and treatment measures to limit spread and damage. Specifically, they should not go near infected areas and should restrict people and vehicles moving between ponds. If it is necessary to pass through an infected area, protective clothing should be changed and one should wade through a water bath mixed with disinfectant for disinfection.
Use quicklime (CaO) spread evenly around the pond embankments and seal the inlet and outlet drainage systems tightly to isolate the pathogen. Surround the pond with netting to prevent insects and strange animals from entering. During the disease outbreak, limit water exchange in the pond to avoid spreading the pathogen to the external environment.
In addition, water quality indicators such as pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, etc. must be closely monitored for timely adjustment. Increase aeration and siphon the pond bottom regularly to keep the pond environment stable. At the same time, supplement substances that enhance shrimp resistance such as Vitamin C, probiotics, minerals, liver tonics, and trace elements from reputable products such as Khoang Tat, Enter Lactyl, Probisol, Hepatic... to help shrimp recover and reduce the impact of pathogens.
Source: Nghe An Newspaper
