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Prawn Virus Testing at Symbio Laboratories

Symbio Laboratories is an approved laboratory for the testing of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Yellow Head Virus (YHV) prawn viruses since 2017.

prawn virus testingWhite Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Yellow-head Virus (YHV) emerged in Taiwan and Thailand and then spread to other prawn-producing countries in Asia and the Americas. Biosecurity Australia manages the risks of importing from these countries through stringent testing of uncooked imported species of Penaeid prawn. 

Although WSSV and YHV infections are not of concern to human health, Penaeid species are highly susceptible to infection of these viruses, and the impact is high mortality and production losses. In recent years, the White Spot Syndrome Virus has been detected in a Queensland waterway and adjoining aquaculture farms. 

Symbio Laboratories can assist seafood importers and Australian based aquaculture producers test for the presence of White Spot and Yellow-head virus. Rapid testing turnaround is available to meet commercial and logistics requirements.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Testing

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), type species of the genus Whispovirus, is a large, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus that infects a broad range of decapod crustaceans.  

The real-time PCR method for WSSV employed by Symbio Laboratories facilitates high throughput analysis of samples with rapid reporting of results.

Yellow-head Virus (YHV) Testing

Yellow-head virus (YHV) is a pleomorphic, enveloped virus with single-stranded RNA of positive polarity, which is primarily localised in the cytoplasm of infected cells. YHV infects a broad range of Penaeid species including Penaeus monodon.

Symbio Laboratories utilises the reverse transcriptase real-time PCR method for YHV, facilitating high throughput analysis of samples and sensitive detection of viral RNA.

Seafood Testing at Symbio

Symbio Laboratories provides a broad range of testing with the quick turnaround times you need. As Australia’s largest independent and 100% Australian owned and operated laboratory service provider, is committed to providing the highest level of service to the Australian seafood industry.  Please contact our team to discuss your seafood testing needs.

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