Estimated economic losses due to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) disease in intensive vannamei shrimp culture business in Kendal Regency

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) disease is one of the main problems in vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamel) culture which must be overcome. The disease emergence leads to a decrease in production and economic losses which further causes the cultivation to stop. On the other hand, if the vannamei shrimp culture is successful and not attacked by the disease, then the business yields profits and brings sustainable future. The aim of this study is to determine the amount of loss or profit obtained if the cultivated vannamei shrimp were infected with WSSV. Employing a descriptive design, data were obtained by means of structured interviews using a questionnaire set to farmers of intensive vannamei shrimp of 74 plots spread over four sub-districts in Kendal Regency. The results indicated that there were 36 ponds infected with WSSV with an estimated economic loss of Rp. 21,318,920,134 in 2022 equivalent to USD 1,421,261. The estimated production loss due to WSSV infection in 2022 was 1,702,821.15 kg with an estimated population loss of 5,609,293 vannamei shrimp over more than 400,663.8 m2 or 40 ha infected area.