Cases of White Spot Disease (WSD) in European shrimp farms

White Spot Disease (WSD) caused by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is listed as 'non-exotic' to the European Union in EC Directive 2006/88. Two other viral diseases (Taura Syndrome and Yellowhead Disease) are listed as exotic. Despite the listing of WSD as a non-exotic disease, definitive case reports have not been officially reported, or published in the peer-reviewed literature. Here we report on a series of outbreaks of WSD in three European Union (EU) Member States (Greece, Italy and Spain) and in one non-EU European country (Turkey) over the period 1995 to 2001. Samples were submitted by industry representatives over this period and were therefore not officially reported to the Competent Authorities of respective European Member States. At least one of the cases appeared to be associated with the feeding of imported shrimp carcasses from Asia to broodstock while other cases were associated with the importation of post-larvae between hatcheries and on-growing facilities from outside of Europe and further movements within Europe. These case reports demonstrate the ability for WSSV to cause disease and mortality in penaeid shrimp farmed at European ambient temperatures. Furthermore, they demonstrate potential for the introduction of WSSV to new geographic areas via the movement of live crustaceans and their products, both from outside of the EU, and between EU Member and non-member countries within the European region.