Since the Asia Pacific Emergency Regional Consultation on EMS/AHPNS held in August 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand, many news reports have been widely circulated that have led to various baseless speculations and conclusions on the true nature of AHPNS.

This disease update/advisory has been issued to address the many circulating false and baseless speculations on the effects and spread of AHPNS in the region. NACA encourages shrimp farmers and producers in the region to properly consult fish health authorities and experts in their country for proper disease diagnosis, when early mortality is observed among cultured shrimps. Fish health authorities should then officially report confirmed cases of AHPNS to their respective national Competent Authority.