More than half of the 135 Louisiana crawfish ponds tested for White Spot Syndrome Virus so far have shown up positive, according to a Louisiana State University AgCenter aquaculture expert.
“This means it’s much more widespread than anyone thought,” said Dr. Ray McClain, crawfish researcher at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, who was among speakers at the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day on July 10.
The virus has been detected in more than 88 samples. But McClain said fewer than 10 ponds reported dying crawfish.
In addition, McClain said, crawfish tissue samples at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine from two years ago tested positive, he said.
“It looks as if it’s been around awhile,” McClain said. “It does not appear to be as devastating in crawfish farms as it was in shrimp farms.”
The virus was first found in the United States among Texas shrimp farms in 1995, and the affected shrimp died rapidly. The virus is not a threat to humans, McClain said.
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