Health and Biosecurity

In this issue:

11th meeting of the Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health. Aquaculture community mourns Prof. M.C. Nandeesha. Got a story for Aquaculture Asia Magazine? AusAID funded project on Institutional Support for Development of Mariculture in South East Sulawesi commences. Regional training course on broodstock management in aquaculture, Vietnam 27 May - 1 June 2013. Video recordings from workshop on sustainable intensification of aquaculture released!

This is the report of the first workshop of the Regional proficiency testing program for aquatic animal disease diagnostic laboratories in Asia-Pacific, held from 25-26 July 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. The objectives of the programme were to strengthen Asia’s regional capability to diagnose important aquatic animal diseases that impact on trade, train participating laboratory personnel in diagnostic standards and proficiency testing procedures, and to provide technical assistance to improve laboratory performance. 

This report, the 58th in the series, contains information about the aquatic animal health status of fifteen states in the Asia-Pacific region. The foreword contains a disease advisory notice on acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome (AHPNS) of cultured shrimp.

In this issue:

Outcomes of emergency consultation on shrimp early mortality syndrome / AHPNS. Workshop on Aquaculture Planning and Management Tools. Workshop on Proficiency Testing Programme for Aquatic Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories in Asia-Pacific. AFSPAN Project gets underway.

In the absence of identified biotic or abiotic cause(s) of the syndrome, this disease card provides information on signs that can be used for presumptive (pond level) and confirmative (animal level) diagnosis of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome of shrimp. The syndrome involves mass mortalities of up to 100% during the first 20-30 days after stocking. Affected shrimp consistently show an abnormal hepatopancreas, which may be shrunken, swollen or discoloured; loose shells, corkscrew swimming, pale colouration and slow growth.

Opening remarks at the Emergency Regional Consultation on Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome.

Presentation on the background objectives, structure and expected ouputs of the Emergency Regional Consultation on Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome.

Presentation on the characterisatoin, distribution, impacts and case definition for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome.

Presentation on research progress into the bacterial or viral causes of AHPNS.

Presentation on mechanisms for the emergence of new diseases.

Presentation on novel methods for detecting previously unknown or "ghost" viruses.

Presentation on the epidemiology and risk factors for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome.

Presentation on the role of management in acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome and "EMS".

Presentation on the impact of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome on shrimp farming in China.

Presentation on the impact of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome on shrimp farming in Thailand.

Presentation on the impact of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome in Malaysia.

Presentation on acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome in Vietnam.

Presentation on "one month mortality syndrome".

Presentation on the management of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome or "early mortality syndrome".

Presentation on emergency aquatic animal disease preparedness and response.