The deadly white spot syndrome virus has infected prawn farms here, threatening to wipe out Sorsogon's aquaculture industry. The WSSV was first reported in 1993 in China and Japan and the disease has spread to the other Asian regions from the hatcheries in these countries. With no available cure, the highly infectious WSSV can wipe out the whole prawn stock within a few days from a single infection. According to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (Seafdec) Aquaculture Department, the spread of the WSSV was "due to loose compliance with regulations on transfer of live shrimp."

Escandor, J. Jr., & Arevalo, G. F. (2004, April 19). Disease threatens Sorsogon aquaculture industry. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B2.