Shrimp from three farms in two Central American countries have tested positive for early mortality syndrome (EMS). Samples from the three farms that were sent to the lab of Dr. Don Lightner, a University of Arizona professor and expert in diseases affecting farmed aquatic species, came back positive for EMS, Jee Eun Han, research associate at the lab, told Undercurrent News.

The samples were taken in 2013, 2014 and this year, said Han, who did testing on the samples.She declined to name the countries where the shrimp was from, saying the lab’s research is not public yet and citing confidentiality agreements with the farms. One source with direct knowledge of shrimp farming operations in Central America told Undercurrent he believes the countries are Honduras and Nicaragua.

Undercurrent said Dr. Lightner told Undercurrent he suspects EMS was transported to Central America in shrimp from Mexico, rather than from Asia, probably coming in through Mexico with smuggled-in brood stock.

[Source: Matt Whittaker, Undercurrent News. Read article]