Abstract

• White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a major shrimp disease in South East Asia. It cause high mortality and losses huge economic to the shrimp farming countries. In the present study, shrimps were collected from natural habitats (mangrove forest) and extensive trap and hold farms located in Pyapon area, Ayeyarwady Region from May to September 2019. The samples were examined for WSSV using PCR and Nested PCR methods. Two out of ten samples from natural habitats showed positive in nest PCR in May 2019. The prevalence of infection ranged 20% to 60% in the shrimps collected form trap and hold systems during sampling from May to August 2019. However, all samples collected in September 2019 showed negative in both PCR and nested PCR. Since the nest PCR detects latent or carrier stage, the result in the present study indicated that shrimps collected from natural habitats and traps and hold farms are latent or carrier stage.