Prevalence and distribution of White Spot Syndrome Virus in cultured shrimp

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a dsDNA virus causing White Spot Syndrome Disease (WSSD) in shrimp with almost 100% morality rate within 3–10 days. In Bangladesh, WSSD is one of the major impediments of shrimp farming. This study first investigated the prevalence and distribution of WSSV in cultured shrimps of the coastal regions in Bangladesh. A total of 60 shrimp samples, collected from the 25 shrimp farms of different coastal regions (Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat and Cox's Bazar), were analysed during 2013–2014 by conventional PCR using VP28 and VP664 gene‐specific primers; 39 of 60 samples were found WSSV positive. SYBR green real‐time PCR using 71‐bp amplicon for VP664 gene correlated well with conventional PCR data. The prevalence rates of WSSV among the collected 60 samples were Satkhira 79%, Khulna 50%, Bagerhat 38% and Cox's Bazar 25%. Sequencing of WSSV‐positive PCR amplicons of VP28 showed 99% similarity with WSSV NCBI Ref/Seq Sequences. Molecular analysis of the VP28 gene sequences of WSSV revealed that Bangladeshi strains phylogenetically affiliated to the strains belong to India. This work concluded that WSSV infections are widely distributed in the coastal regions cultured shrimp in Bangladesh. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report on prevalence study of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in cultured shrimp (Penaeus monodon) of Bangladesh. Conventional and real‐time PCR entail with amplicons sequencing were performed to detect WSSV. Our findings revealed a high prevalence rate of White Spot Syndrome Disease in cultured shrimp of coastal regions in Bangladesh. The present investigation established that i. WSSV is circulated in Bangladeshi cultured shrimp and ii. The methods validated for WSSV detection may be employed for rapid segregation of WSSV‐free postlarvae of shrimp before stocking to the farm which is extremely essential for disease‐free shrimp farming.