June 12, 2007

Crawfish disease sweeps farms in Louisiana

More than a dozen ponds have tested have tested positive for "White Spot" disease in recent weeks, adding those already infected in the US state of Louisiana.

However, Greg Lutz, state aquaculture specialist, said crawfish farmers and consumers need not be concerned.

The disease may have been in the ponds for quite a while, he said.

Lutz also works with the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center.

The disease was first detected last month at a crawfish farm. Although it is not harmful to humans, the disease can kill crawfish, has now been confirmed in commercial ponds across much of southwest Louisiana.

State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner said the 20 positive results for commercial ponds were out of 29 tested, raising fears the disease may be widespread.