White Spot Disease in Pink Shrimp
White Spot Disease is a serious viral infection affecting shrimp and other crustaceans. It is caused by a virus called White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). The disease occurs in many shrimp farming regions worldwide and can also affect wild po...
What is it?
White Spot Disease is a serious viral infection affecting shrimp and other crustaceans. It is caused by a virus called White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). The disease occurs in many shrimp farming regions worldwide and can also affect wild populations, such as pink shrimp in the Mediterranean Sea. It is greatly feared because it can kill a large portion of a population in a very short time.
Key point
This disease is notifiable in many countries due to its severe impact on crustacean populations, whether in farming or wild settings.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Infected shrimp often show decreased activity and abnormal behaviour, such as erratic swimming or a tendency to move towards the surface or the edges of their environment.
They may stop eating.
The most characteristic sign, when visible, is the presence of small round white spots under the shell, especially on the head and thorax. These spots correspond to abnormal calcium deposits.
In many cases, especially in wild populations, the disease progresses very rapidly and the animals die before clear signs can be observed.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The disease is caused by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a DNA virus that infects cells in many tissues of the shrimp, including those derived from the ectoderm and mesoderm (shell, gills, connective tissue, stomach).
Sudden changes in water temperature, particularly rapid cooling, favour disease development in infected populations.
Severe stress, high stocking density, and poor water quality also increase susceptibility to infection.
The presence of other crustaceans that are healthy carriers of the virus in the same environment constitutes a risk factor for contamination.
Transmission
The virus is transmitted through direct contact between animals, by contaminated water, and by ingestion of infected tissue or carcasses (cannibalism). It can also be transmitted from females to their offspring. Birds and other animals feeding on infected crustaceans may contribute to spreading the virus from one environment to another.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
Diagnosis is based on observation of clinical signs combined with specialized laboratory tests, particularly molecular biology tests (PCR) that detect viral DNA. Examination of tissues under a microscope can also reveal characteristic lesions. These analyses are performed by laboratories specializing in pathology of aquatic animals.
Treatment
No specific curative treatment against this viral infection exists. Management in farming contexts consists mainly of supportive measures and health management aimed at limiting spread (isolation, improvement of farming conditions).
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
No vaccine against this disease exists in crustaceans.
In farming settings, prevention relies on the use of certified disease-free populations, strict control of incoming water, avoidance of sudden temperature fluctuations, and good general health management (stocking density, hygiene, quarantine of new arrivals).
In natural environments, there is no direct control measure; epidemiological surveillance of wild populations helps better understand disease spread.
Possible complications
The disease can cause very rapid and massive mortality within an affected population, potentially affecting a large proportion of individuals within a few days.
When to see a veterinarian
Observation of unusual and rapid mortality within a population of shrimp.
Presence of white spots beneath the shell associated with reduced activity in the animals.
Sudden change in behavior or appetite in a batch of farmed shrimp.
Suspicion of disease in a farming context, requiring notification to the relevant veterinary authorities.
Prognosis
The prognosis is generally poor in cases of declared infection, with a high risk of significant mortality in a short time. There is no treatment available to cure infected animals.
Frequently asked questions
Can the white spot disease affect humans?
No, this virus is specific to crustaceans and poses no danger to humans, whether through contact or consumption.
How can a deep-sea pink shrimp catch this disease in its natural environment?
Contamination occurs through contact with other infected crustaceans, through the surrounding water, or by feeding on contaminated carcasses or tissues.
Can a shrimp affected by this disease be treated?
No, there is no curative treatment. The only possible approach relies on prevention and health management to limit the spread of the virus.
Are white spots always visible in infected animals?
No, the disease progression is sometimes so rapid that animals die before these spots become clearly visible.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
FAO — Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 27 October 2026
Comments (0)
No comments yet.
AT A GLANCE
Need a veterinarian?
Find a practitioner near you on TunisieVet, with their specialities, hours and contact details.
Find a veterinarianCategories
Affected species
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a veterinary consultation. If you have any concerns about your animal's health, consult a veterinarian.
Thinking of welcoming a pet? Dogs and cats are waiting for a family in Tunisia, and adoption is completely free.
Adoption listingsTo discover
Related diseases and linked Animalia content.
