1. Risk assessment Laboratory diagnostic test results received
Initial phone call reporting unusual mortality or signs of disease
Action required. Request samples for testing and collect epidemiological data (refer SOP). Categorise the disease
No action required. Document decision and inform customer and policy
(Is there sufficient evidence to suggest non-infectious cause?)
Category 1. Suspect endemic disease but test to exclude exotics.
Category 2. Exotic or new/ emerging disease suspected.
On-site structured disease investigation (refer SOP).
Movement controls enforced.
Laboratory diagnostic test results received
Endemic- provide disease management advice, farm to self-manage.
Unclear. Further investigation may be required. If category 2, treat as exotic until more is known.
Exotic or serious emerging Determine extent, source and impact. Consult with industry and determine feasibility of eradication or zoning
Eradicate
Control and mitigation
Containment, control and zoning
Destroy/harvest all affected or potentially exposed ponds/ units that are not contained (refer SOP)
Contained units (eg recirc indoors) can be held pending test results.
Movement controls from infected and high risk properties
Healthy prawns from affected or potentially exposed ponds can be sold if risk is not exacerbated (eg cooked and timelines are not affected)
Surveillance to determine extent. Continue if eradication feasible.
If not (eg found in wild), shift to zones or mitigation
Surveillance to demonstrate freedom
Eradicate diseased ponds in free zone only.
In infected zone, growout and harvest is allowed with on-farm processing before movement (cooking or freezing depending on the disease).
Strict disinfection protocols enforced for vehicles and other potential carriers
Movement of live or infectious prawns allowed from free zone only.
Infected farms must prove freedom before they are allowed to move live stock into the free zone.
Surveillance to determine extent. If widespread or zoning no longer feasible, move to control and mitigation
Industry-based program to mitigate the effects of the disease
Government may provide assistance to adjust to ongoing management
Maintain Biosecurity zones
Risk assessment
Freedom demonstrated
Disease endemic

2. Suspected (initial investigation)
Level 1 (endemic)
Level 2 (exotic or serious emerging disease)
Suspected (initial investigation)
Farmer to send samples
Movement controls may be advised
Farm management to determine which ponds are affected or exposed and implement on-farm disease response SOP
BQ to conduct lab testing and epidemiological data to be collected by phone / .
Farmer to send samples immediately
Movement controls enforced
Affected pond/s isolated
BQ on-site investigation to determine:
which ponds/farms are affected or ‘exposed’
evidence for introduction pathway
take further samples – note the initial sampling may be done by staff rather than the farmer. This will depend on staff availability and travel logistics
Disease confirmed
Farm to manage with advice from BQ where needed
Assume eradication is feasible until surveillance shows otherwise
Immediate net harvest /eradication of all affected or likely exposed ponds. Cooked for viruses/ frozen ok for AHPND