GovWire

Contents

1. How to spot yellow head disease
2. How yellow head disease is spread
3. Preventing and controlling yellow head disease
4. Further information on yellow head disease
5. Legislation relating to yellow head disease
6. Who to contact if you suspect yellow head disease

Yellow head disease is a serious viral disease known to affect warm water shrimp or prawn species including giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) and whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), which are important aquaculture species. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through populations.

More information on susceptible and vector species can be found here: GB Lists of susceptible and vector species.

Great Britain is free from yellow head disease, it is a listed (also referred to as notifiable) disease which you are legally obligated to report immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas. Fish Health Inspectorate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

There has never been a recorded outbreak of yellow head disease in the UK.

It does not affect humans.

How to spot yellow head disease

Signs of the disease can include:

• rapid, mass mortality
• yellowish discoloration of the cephalothorax (head and body area)
• shrimp moving towards the pond edge or surface
• high feeding activity followed by abrupt stopping

How yellow head disease is spread

Yellow head disease is spread through movements of and contact with infected shrimp and contact with contaminated equipment or water.

Preventing and controlling yellow head disease

There is no treatment for yellow head disease.

Prevention is the best approach to disease control. You can protect your crustacea from serious diseases by being aware of the signs of yellow head and other serious diseases and checking stock health regularly. Implement good husbandry and biosecurity practices.

Further information on biosecurity measures plans, guidance and templates can be found here: Biosecurity Measure Plans - Information and Templates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You must be sure any crustaceans introduced are yellow head disease free. Do not buy crustaceans of unknown origin. Follow the rules on moving aquatic animals: Aquatic animal health and movements guides - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You must report it to the FHI immediately if you notice or become aware of crustaceans showing any of the signs of yellow head disease. The FHI will investigate and apply disease control measures if required.

Further information on yellow head disease

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Aquatic Manual chapter Yellow Head Virus.

Legislation relating to yellow head disease

The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009

The listed diseases are in Regulation 1251/2008 as amended by the Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, at Chapter 2, Annex 1A and Schedule 1 of The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Who to contact if you suspect yellow head disease

If you suspect or know of a listed disease of fish and shellfish in England and Wales, you must report it immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas. You must also infrom the FHI immediately if you know or suspect that increased mortality has occurred.

Under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 it is a legal obligation to report suspicion of yellow head disease in any farmed or wild shellfish to the FHI. It is an offence under the Regulations to fail to inform the FHI of suspicion of yellow head disease.

• Email:?fhi@cefas.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01305 206700- Monday to Thursday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
• For emergencies out of hours telephone: 01305 206630