Recently, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed the Rajya Sabha about the alarming state of White Spot Disease. This disease poses a significant threat to crustacean populations, particularly affecting prawns, yabbies, and crabs.
White Spot Disease is a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting various species of crustaceans. The disease is caused by the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), which belongs to the genus Whispovirus and the family Nimaviridae. This double-stranded DNA virus severely impacts aquatic life.
All decapod crustaceans classified under the order Decapoda, including prawns, lobsters, and crabs from diverse environments such as marine, brackish, or freshwater, are susceptible to this infection.
Infected shrimp display several noticeable symptoms, including:
The transmission of White Spot Disease can occur through two primary pathways:
White Spot Disease has been officially reported in several countries, including:
Efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of White Spot Disease are crucial for maintaining healthy crustacean populations and ensuring the stability of fisheries worldwide.
Q1. What causes White Spot Disease in crustaceans?
Answer: White Spot Disease is caused by the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a highly contagious virus affecting various decapod crustaceans.
Q2. What are the symptoms of White Spot Disease?
Answer: Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, reddish discoloration, and circular white spots on the exoskeleton of affected shrimp.
Q3. How is White Spot Disease transmitted?
Answer: The disease can be transmitted both vertically from infected brood stock to postlarvae and horizontally through carrier animals or cannibalism.
Q4. Which countries have reported White Spot Disease?
Answer: Countries including India, China, Vietnam, and several others in Asia have reported cases of White Spot Disease in crustaceans.
Q5. What is the impact of White Spot Disease on fisheries?
Answer: White Spot Disease poses a significant threat to crustacean populations, impacting fisheries and aquaculture industries due to high mortality rates.
Question 1: What is the causative agent of White Spot Disease?
A) Bacteria
B) Virus
C) Fungus
D) Parasite
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which crustaceans are primarily affected by White Spot Disease?
A) Fish
B) Mollusks
C) Decapods
D) Echinoderms
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What is a common symptom of White Spot Disease in shrimp?
A) Swelling
B) Reddish discoloration
C) Excessive swimming
D) Color change in water
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: How does horizontal transmission of White Spot Disease occur?
A) Through water
B) Through infected brood stock
C) Through carrier animals
D) Through environmental factors
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: Which of the following countries has not reported White Spot Disease?
A) India
B) Japan
C) Brazil
D) Vietnam
Correct Answer: C
Question 6: What type of virus causes White Spot Disease?
A) RNA virus
B) DNA virus
C) Retrovirus
D) Oncovirus
Correct Answer: B
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