Taura virus spreads to second shrimp farm

The Taura virus, discovered last month at the Nova Shrimp Farm in Ladyville, has now spread to a second shrimp operation in Stann Creek. Barry Bowen, president of the Shrimp Grower’s Association, today confirmed to News 5 that the virus has been positively confirmed at the Paradise shrimp farm near Gales Point and there are signs that at least one other farm further south may also be affected. The Taura virus, which causes high mortality in shrimp ponds, is found virtually world-wide but has been absent in Belize for the last six years. Echoing the analysis of experts previously interviewed by News 5, Bowen explained that, like other producing countries, Belize will eventually have to learn to live with the disease and begin to grow Taura resistant varieties of shrimp. In the meantime there is little shrimp growers can do to prevent the spread of the virus in that it is carried so easily by birds and other animals, water, mud, vehicles and people who travel from farm to farm. If the disease becomes widespread in Belize, Bowen estimates that it could decrease production by twenty to thirty percent this year before recovering in 2002. The board of the S.G.A. will be meeting with BAHA Friday in Belmopan to review the situation. Taura virus does not effect humans and there is no danger associated with eating farm grown shrimp.