Understanding White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Transmission In Moreton Bay - Epidemiological Modelling Of Surveillance Data
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$135,000.00
Summary
On the basis of Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) surveillance April 2020 which detected 112 mangrove crabs positive to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), and their confirmation just a few weeks later that two farms on the Logan River had samples testing positive for WSSV, APFA Management Committee identified a need for a qualified epidemiologist to undertake comprehensive modelling to: 1) Identify what vectors/sentinels are involved in the spread of WSSV and design surveillance for these 2) In ....On the basis of Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) surveillance April 2020 which detected 112 mangrove crabs positive to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), and their confirmation just a few weeks later that two farms on the Logan River had samples testing positive for WSSV, APFA Management Committee identified a need for a qualified epidemiologist to undertake comprehensive modelling to: 1) Identify what vectors/sentinels are involved in the spread of WSSV and design surveillance for these 2) Investigate at what rate WSSV is spreading by defining the current zone 3) Understand how seasonal factors could impact the spread 4) Advise whether the boundary of the current zone is likely to be changed.
There is significant surveillance data available from several studies and several years of surveillance. This data has not undergone extensive, systematic and comprehensive analysis to determine risk factors, spread etc. There is information suggesting that sentinel vectors carrying WSSV can change year to year and it is important to predict what vectors will be involved in spreading WSSV in the future to ensure appropriate biosecurity measures and monitoring can take place. Clear independent epidemiological advice around the potential sources and likely spread is needed. Working out which animals form proper sentinels is important and will not only describe how WSSV moves around in the environment, what the zones look like, but also how to target mitigation measures.
This information will assist the prawn farming industry initiate appropriate management practices on an enterprise and regional level and to improve their biosecurity plans and potentially inform industry and policy makers on the benefits of a regional or zone-based management plan. Understanding whether WSSV remained within the environment at low prevalence for 2017-2020, or whether there was a separate incursion in 2020 is beneficial because the management protocol will be different in each scenario. In addition, understanding of risk factors will assist predictions about where and if this virus is most likely to spread? Objectives: 1. Identify vectors/sentinels involved in the spread of WSSV, designing surveillance for these. 2. Investigate the rate at which WSSV is spreading by defining the current zone. 3. Understand how seasonal factors (e.g. rainfalls, temperature changes) impact the spread of WSSV. 4. Advise whether the boundary of the current zone is likely to change geographically and if so, establish the likely rate of movement in time based on current indicators. 5. Examine other risk factors for disease transmission and spread Read moreRead less
The WSD outbreak and subsequent significant mortality events is a massive threat to the prawn aquaculture industry throughout Australia. WSD is an exotic disease, resulting in the emergency animal disease provisions being implemented by State and Commonwealth governments. The response so far is to attempt to eradicate the disease by destruction of diseased stock and implementation of quarantine arrangements. This has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars to the prawn farming industry. In ....The WSD outbreak and subsequent significant mortality events is a massive threat to the prawn aquaculture industry throughout Australia. WSD is an exotic disease, resulting in the emergency animal disease provisions being implemented by State and Commonwealth governments. The response so far is to attempt to eradicate the disease by destruction of diseased stock and implementation of quarantine arrangements. This has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars to the prawn farming industry. In addition to the prawn farmers, other industries affected include wild prawns, crabs and recreational fishers.
A coordinated response from the Australian prawn farming industry is needed to ensure Federal and State stakeholders will have the confidence to provide targeted assistance and to ensure that that efforts by all stakeholders are not duplicated and / or contradictory.
Objectives: 1. Deliver a Prawn Industry WSD Response Plan covering actions that can be implemented on individual farms by the whole of industry and government. 2. To prepare a plan for the prawn farming industry and its stakeholders to respond to WSD in the short, medium and long term. 3. Provide assistance to APFA in consultation with stakeholders, identification of sources of assistance and coordination of the stakeholder response to WSD. Read moreRead less
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Preparedness For Biosecurity Awareness And Adoption Of Best Practice By The NSW And QLD Wild Catch Commercial Fishers - Understanding What Extension Pathways Work Best
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$84,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop appropriate extension material to reduce the risk of spread of WSSV from the control zone to the non control zones in QLD and NSW. 2. To quantify best extension practice for biosecurity for the commercial wild catch fishers. 3. To, where possible, utilise existing extension material developed by Biosecurity Queensland for the commercial wild catch fishery.
Field Observations And Assessment Of The Response To An Outbreak Of White Spot Disease (WSD) In Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus Monodon) Farmed On The Logan River In November 2016
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$52,663.15
Summary
Objectives: 1. Undertake assessment on the causative factors for the outbreak of WSD in the prawn farms in the Logan River region 2. Provide technical advice to APFA, QSIA, ACPF, Sunfish, ARFF and FRDC on the technical information arising from the eradication program for WSD 3. Undertake research and sampling for later assessment on how to improve the management of WSD and its erradication
Collation Of White Spot Syndrome Virus Testing From Wild-caught Re-imported Prawns
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$2,300.00
Summary
Wild caught prawns that are re-imported into Australia are required to be tested for white spot syndrome virus, the virus that causes WSD. Examination of these data could reveal if any positive test results have been recorded to date. Objectives: 1. Summarise available white spot syndrome virus testing data from wild-caught re-imported prawns
Assessment Of Gamma Irradiation As A Feasible Method For Treating Prawns To Inactivate White Spot Syndrome Virus
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
Achieving the mandated dose rate of 50 kGy for prawns harvested from the White Spot Disease control zone in SE QLD is proving to be problematic and industry are requesting a reduction in the permitted irradiation dose rate for prawns sourced from Moreton Bay to somewhere between 15 and 25 kGy. A reduction in treatment dose, if successful, would provide a viable option for industry to continue trade in uncooked prawns sourced from Moreton Bay.
There appears to be only three scientific p ....Achieving the mandated dose rate of 50 kGy for prawns harvested from the White Spot Disease control zone in SE QLD is proving to be problematic and industry are requesting a reduction in the permitted irradiation dose rate for prawns sourced from Moreton Bay to somewhere between 15 and 25 kGy. A reduction in treatment dose, if successful, would provide a viable option for industry to continue trade in uncooked prawns sourced from Moreton Bay.
There appears to be only three scientific papers relevant to the subject of using gamma irradiation for inactivation of WSSV (Heidareh et al. 2014, Kakoolaki et al. 2015, Motamedi-Sedeh et al. 2017). The studies were conducted with the aim of determining the doses required to inactivate the Iranian isolate of WSSV with gamma irradiation for the purposes of vaccinating cultured prawns. While the listed scientific papers suggest gamma irradiation at a dose of around 13-15 kGy is effective at inactivating WSSV, their experimental protocols and results are not clearly transferable. In these studies aliquots of free virus were exposed to different gamma irradiation doses. Irradiation of WSSV inside infected host tissues was not performed, and data on whether the surviving prawns were infected with WSSV were not presented. None of these papers are therefore directly applicable to the situation relating to irradiation treatment of WSSV in-situ inside infected prawns.
Given the absence of information on irradiation doses for inactivation of WSSV in the Department of Agriculture (2014) review document, and the absence of research in Australia or overseas to validate alternative irradiation doses that completely inactivate WSSV, new research is urgently required to determine the minimum safe irradiation dose for inactivation of WSSV in prawns with the results verified by controlled challenge trials in a bio-secure facility.
Objectives: 1. To determine minimal effective dose of gamma irradiation to render WSSV non-infectious in prawns. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Determine what causes appearance of white discoloration (known as "white spot") on the shell of prawns 2. what effect this discoloration has on the eating quality of prawns. 3. Devise methods of overcoming the problem.
Prawn Superpowers Summit - Enhancing Awareness Of Emergency Aquatic Animal Disease Response Arrangements For The Australian Prawn Farming Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$13,626.00
Summary
The Australian prawn farming sector is a significant contributor to regional economies, particularly in Queensland. The viability of the industry is contingent on maintaining its relatively disease-free status with respect to major viral diseases which have been documented to cause wide-spread losses in shrimp culture internationally. Ongoing vigilance is essential to ensure that Australia does not become another of the countries to become infected by important viruses such as white spot. Indust ....The Australian prawn farming sector is a significant contributor to regional economies, particularly in Queensland. The viability of the industry is contingent on maintaining its relatively disease-free status with respect to major viral diseases which have been documented to cause wide-spread losses in shrimp culture internationally. Ongoing vigilance is essential to ensure that Australia does not become another of the countries to become infected by important viruses such as white spot. Industry awareness is acknowledged as a key component of the passive surveillance for exotic diseases. The workshop will assist in raising the awareness of the risks, and the processes which are in place to prevent, and control emergency diseases should they occur. The workshop will provide an opportunity for industry to identify any improvements in the current system and communicate these issues to Government agencies.
There has been widespread, severe outbreaks of WSSV internationally this year. 24 April 2011 - Saudi Arabia 23 September 2011 - Mozambique 3 October 2011 - Mexico 30th November - Brazil 4 December 2011 - Saudi Arabia - Jazan
The above combined with a Biosecurity breach September 2010, where a shipment of prawns infected with WSSV were mistakenly released into the market place - means that prawn farmers must be ever vigilant in ensuring that our industry remains free from WSSV and other exotic and domestic diseases. Objectives: 1. Raise awareness of prawn diseases and emerging disease risks entering Australia 2. Identify and understand the processes in place to respond to emergency diseases should they occur 3. Indentify any improvements in the current system and communicate these issues to industry and Government agencies 4. Working together to ensure preparedness to respond to disease risks in Australia Read moreRead less
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Enhancement Of Emergency Disease Management Through The Education And Training Of The CCEAD Participants On The CCEAD Process
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,541.84
Summary
Many fisheries and aquaculture industries around the world have suffered major production losses due to the impact of disease epidemics. Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, the Commonwealth, State/Territory governments and aquaculture industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. Through AQUAPLAN – Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health 1998-2003 we have develop ....Many fisheries and aquaculture industries around the world have suffered major production losses due to the impact of disease epidemics. Few major disease incidents have occurred in Australian aquaculture, and as a result, the Commonwealth, State/Territory governments and aquaculture industries have relatively little experience in incident management for emergency aquatic animal diseases. Through AQUAPLAN – Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health 1998-2003 we have developed strategies and mechanisms such as the Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (Aquatic CCEAD) to provide advice on the management of disease emergencies in fisheries and aquaculture. Through the White Spot Virus incident in 2000-2001, however, it became apparent that the participants lacked the experience to effectively put into practice the CCEAD process. The need for this education and training program can be summarized as follows: 1. Both government and industries have relatively little experience with real emergencies. 2. Industry and some government jurisdictions have little knowledge and understanding of the CCEAD process which is essential when dealing with an emergency. 3. In some jurisdictions there is a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of various individuals. 4. Industry has little experience on CCEAD and has not previously been a bona fide member of CCEAD. 5. Lack of experience of disease incidents has lead to a lack of understanding of the reasons for confidentiality and hence conformation to the confidentiality guidelines. 6. Lack of experience with the CCEAD process has lead to the misuse and abuse of the process for political mileage rather then disease incident management.
Objectives: 1. To familiarize participants with, and increase their understanding of, the CCEAD Terms of Reference and Operating Guidelines. 2. To develop trust and build relationships within and between the government and industry representatives. 3. To promote appropriate and effective behaviour when Aquatic CCEAD is activated. 4. To educate participants in Aquatic CCEAD on the benefits of abiding by the confidentiality clause of CCEAD. 5. To improve Australia’s emergency management response through an effective Aquatic CCEAD process. 6. To develop a training course/workshop for CCEAD participants. Read moreRead less