White Spot Disease

Last reviewed October 2005

Australian situation

White spot disease and the associated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) have never occurred in Australia.

For general information on managing animal health in Australia, please consult the latest edition of 'Animal Health in Australia'.

This disease is reportable in Australia. For further information please consult Australia's National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals which can be found on the following page: http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/aquatic/reporting.

An 'AQUAVETPLAN Disease Strategy Manual' describing control measures in the event of an outbreak of this disease is available.

Disease summary

WSSV may result in systemic infection in a wide range of decapod crustacean species and has been associated with white spot disease in farmed prawn populations. Outbreaks of disease in naïve farmed prawn populations frequently result in the acute onset of epidemic mortalities; affected animals typically have multiple white spots on their carapace. Alternatively, infection may persist throughout the grow-out cycle, with only occasional mortality. White spot disease is also known as white spot syndrome.

World distribution

More information on this OIE-listed disease, including worldwide disease status and distribution, is available on the OIE Website.

Further information

Further information, including publicly available historical data can be obtained by contacting:

Project Manager
Animal Health Australia
Phone: (02) 6203 3912
Fax: (02) 6232 5511
Email: aha@animalhealthaustralia.com.au