Prevalence of viral pathogens WSSV and IHHNV in wild organisms at the Pacific Coast of Mexico

•The most prevalent virus, IHHNV was present in 19.5% followed by WSSV in 3.6%.•Evidences indicate that WSSV and IHHNV have a potential of persisting in wild organism.•Simultaneous infection of WSSV and IHHNV in P. stylirostris, P. vannamei, and C. arcuatus.

This study investigated whether white spot syndrome virus and Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus, can survive in wild invertebrates and vertebrates in the environment surrounding shrimp farms along the Pacific coast of Mexico. The evidences imply that both viruses have a potential of persisting in crabs, blue, white and brown shrimps. The most prevalent virus, IHHNV was present in 19.5% (344/1736) followed by WSSV in 3.6% (65/1736). Coinfection of WSSV and IHHNV was also detected in crabs, blue and white shrimps. This is the first prevalence report of WSSV and IHHNV associated with wildlife species in Mexico.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide