Abstract

Taura syndrome in the United States of America: Follow-up report No. 1 (2004)

O.I.E.
WAHIS - WOAH Disease Information (on-line)
17
27
2004
TAURA SYNDROME IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Follow-up report No. 1
See also: 11 June 2004

Information received on 28 June 2004 from Dr Peter Fernandez, Associate Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, DC:

End of previous report period:
10 June 2004 (see Disease Information , 17 [24], 157, dated 11 June 2004).

End of this report period:
28 June 2004.
A total of 16 ponds at the 38-pond facility have now tested positive for Taura syndrome virus.

Total number of animals in the outbreak (updated data): species:
cru; susceptible: > 9,600,000; cases: 16 ponds; deaths: 80-90%; destroyed: 0; slaughtered: 0

Diagnosis:
A. Laboratories where diagnosis was made:

- Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (TVMDL), College Station, Texas.
- OIE Reference Laboratory at the University of Arizona.
B. Diagnostic tests used:
- histology;
- in situ hybridisation;
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
C. Causal agent: the OIE Reference Laboratory for shrimp pathogens has determined that the Taura syndrome virus isolated in Texas is 97.4% similar to isolates from the Americas, 95.7% similar to a Belize isolate and 98.2% similar to Asian isolates in the OIE Reference Laboratory collection. Comparisons were made based on sequence data from VP1.

Source of agent / origin of infection:
unknown.

Control measures:

- control of wildlife reservoirs;
- quarantine and movement control inside the country;
- stamping out.
WOAH