Shrimp EHP is a disease caused by the parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), which causes shrimp to grow slowly, become stunted, and reduce their ability to absorb nutrients. This disease attacks the shrimp’s hepatopancreas and usually does not cause массов mortality, but it seriously affects farming productivity and commercial value because the shrimp grow unevenly. EHP can spread through the oral route and via feces, so prevention and control by using disease-free seed and maintaining pond hygiene are very important.
Signs for recognition
- Slow growth: Shrimp growth reaches only 10–40% compared with normal ponds, and sizes are uneven.
- Soft shell: Shrimp are prone to soft shells due to poor nutrient absorption.
- Intestine: Empty gut, fragmented feces, or twisted intestine.
Prevention and treatment
- Input control:
- Use EHP-free shrimp seed by testing PCR negative.
- Limit or freeze live fresh feed to destroy pathogens before feeding the shrimp.
- Pond sanitation:
- For earthen ponds: Remove all mud, dry the pond, then apply lime for treatment.
- For lined ponds: Wash thoroughly, scrub with NaOH solution, and sun-dry.
- Water treatment: Fine filtration and disinfection with Chlorine.
- Pond management:
- Maintain stable environmental factors (pH, dissolved oxygen).
- Use probiotics to decompose waste.
- Siphon the pond bottom regularly to remove waste.
- When diseased shrimp are detected:
- Isolate infected shrimp from the healthy stock.
- Reduce stocking density by thinning out and transferring shrimp.
- Stop feeding or reduce feed; do not overfeed to avoid weakening the shrimp and increasing leftover feed.
- Use the Vemedim protocol: CQ32 PROCEDURE
