A new and emerging disease is threatening the shrimp industry, a bacterial disease which contains a highly pathogenic plasmid, creating a deadly toxin that causes high mortality in shrimps. The disease has been identified as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) or commonly known as early mortality syndrome (EMS). To help the efforts of sustaining the shrimp industry, the study focused on detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus causing AHPND/EMS affecting Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) (Pacific white shrimp) and Penaeus monodon (Fabricius 1798) (Black Tiger shrimp) in different locations in the Philippines. The presence of the disease was determined by microbiological methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was confirmed by the histopathology of the hepatopancreas of infected shrimp. Results show that the prevalence of the pathogenic strain of V. parahaemolyticus from the shrimps collected were 33% in Luzon, 21% in Visayas and 5% in Mindanao. The study presents the first record of AHPND/EMS in the country. The detection of this newly emerging disease in the shrimp industry is very crucial as it is the first step in identifying affected sites towards strategizing ways to combat the disease.

In 1994, the Philippines was one of the top three producers in shrimp aquaculture, reaching a peak of 91MT. However, diseases caused a rapid decline in shrimp production, down to less than 50MT in 1997, and the Philippine status in shrimp aquaculture production has dwindled to the 13 th spot. Production has not yet recovered and stabilized, as these diseases still plague the industry up to this day. The strict implementation of importation laws for broodstock and better management practices helped the industry to make up for losses, and is now starting to revive. The scientific community is doing its part to hasten this process, shrimp research is of consistent interest to several research institutions providing deeper understanding regarding viral and bacterial diseases and their interactions with the host. However, the challenge remains as to how research can be translated and applied in the field, to provide the shrimp industry with science-based management strategies. This review provides a balance of both basic and applied research with the ultimate goal of reaching out to the industry through useful and beneficial knowledge together with simpler and costeffective detection methods and alternative, effective immunostimulants.