National Current Affairs
White Spot diseases in Andhra Pradesh
- 18 Dec 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Government of India informed about White Spot Disease outbreaks in aquaculture in Andhra Pradesh and the measures taken under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to monitor and control aquatic animal diseases.
Key Points
- White Spot Disease: In Andhra Pradesh, field teams collected aquaculture samples; 4 samples tested positive under passive surveillance and 23 under active surveillance for White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV).
- Disease Surveillance: The National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) is being implemented under PMMSY with a ₹33.78 crore outlay to detect and manage aquatic diseases nationwide.
- Sample Analysis: Samples are analysed at the State Institute of Fisheries Technology (SIFT), Kakinada.
- Insurance Support: Under the Aquaculture Crop Insurance Scheme, 85 aquafarmers in Andhra Pradesh are covered; in 2025, ₹5.21 lakh in claims were disbursed.
- Prevention Guidelines: The Coastal Aquaculture Authority has issued guidelines for SPF shrimp or broodstock centres, hatcheries, farms, health monitoring and SPF certification to prevent WSSV outbreaks.
- Biosecurity Measures: Mandatory quarantine of imported shrimp broodstock and registration of shrimp hatcheries and farms with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority are enforced to limit disease spread.
- Laboratory Surveillance: PCR‑based disease surveillance of shrimp and water samples supports early detection and disease control.
- Alternative Farming: The Government promotes Biofloc Technology (BFT) and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to reduce disease risk and improve biosecurity and sustainability.
