November 25, 2005

Hawaii destroys infected shrimp

Local authorities in Hawaii have destroyed a batch of imported live baby shrimp being held in quarantine, after they tested positive for the white-spot syndrome virus. Authorities said the virus did not pose a threat to humans. However, it was highly contagious to shrimp and other crustaceans.

State officials said the virus was safely contained, after the shrimp were destroyed and the effluent chlorinated to kill any virus.

According to the state Department of Agriculture, the imported Japanese tiger shrimps were highly prized by sushi chefs, and commanded a price of up to US$30 a pound.

10,000 shrimp from Mie prefecture in Japan were earlier imported, and held for a 120-day quarantine at a Hawaiian aquaculture complex. The virus was found in the batch then.