This project adapted existing epidemiological techniques to the study of risk factors for White Spot Disease (WSD) shrimp (Penaeus spp.) in two vulnerable farming systems in the Mekong delta of Vietnam and South West India. WSD is a pandemic disease of shrimp caused by an unclassified virus commonly known as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). Two different approaches were adopted: in Vietnam a small number of farms were involved with the focus on detailed examination pond level risk factors for outbreaks of disease. In India, the study focused on routes of transmission of WSSV, involving a larger number of farmers and potential sources of the virus from outside the farm. Risk factors were identified and decision-making tools supplied to vulnerable farmers. Although no formal intervention study was initiated, anecdotal evidence from both study sites suggests that farmers have changed farming practices in response to the findings of this project.
This report provides an executive summary and details of the background, project purpose, outputs, activities, and contribution of the outputs to developmental impact. Appendices list the references, scientific collaborators, logistic framework from the project memorandum, draft manuscripts and specimens of farmers reports and information.