The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has placed an emergency quarantine prohibiting the movement of shrimp from Limaloa Farm on Kaua'i.

The quarantine was issued on June 16 when tests confirmed White Spot Syndrome Virus in the shrimp. White Spot Syndrom Virus, also referred to as WSSV, is a highly contagious and fatal disease for shrimp and other crustaceans. It does not pose a threat to human health, even if consumed, the DOH said.

Shrimp with the disease exhibit white spots and rapid death usually follows. The DOH said this is the second time that WSSV has been detected at the facility, which is the former Ceatech shrimp farm. The last time it was detected was 2004 and Ceatech subsequently filed for bankruptcy. The farm was released from quarantine under new ownership in January 2006.

Outbreaks of the diseases have been reported in China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines and in Central and South America.

Limaloa officials told the DOH they noticed a problem in one of their four ponds on June 12 and samples were tested on June 13, confirming the results yesterday. The farm had already shut down shipments voluntarily pending test results.