Epidemiological Investigation of Brackish Water Culture Systems in West Bengal, India

Abstract

An epidemiological investigation was done in brackish water culture systems in three coastal districts of West Bengal. A total of 198 farms were randomly surveyed with a structured questionnaire. The data showed that there was a significant difference in outbreak of white spot disease (WSD) (p < 0.01), shell-associated problems (p < 0.01), and gill-associated problems (p < 0.05) among the culture systems. Among all systems, stunted and uneven growth and white fecal disease (only in shrimp monoculture) were the dominant emerging disorders. WSD remained the most prevalent disease. Some farms tested (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) positive for WSD, but the animals were apparently healthy. Chlorination, use of PCR screening, application of immunostimulants, and strict bio-security measures play major roles in containing disease outbreaks.

Keywords:

• Shrimp diseases
• fish diseases
• brackish water culture systems
• West Bengal

Acknowledgments

The authors express thanks to Dr. A. G. Ponniah, Director, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai, India, and Dr. T. C. Santiago, SIC, AAHED, CIBA, Chennai, India, for their constructive criticism and support.