In many countries, aquaculture is a major thrust area which improves community progress, food security and poverty mitigation and as the source of livelihood [15].
Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) is the most important shrimp species in terms of aquaculture production. Other important species are Penaeus monodon (P. monodon),
Penaeus chinensis, Penaeus merguiensis, Penaeus japonicus and F. indicus. L. vannamei has several advantages compared to other cultured species. These include the
availability of specific pathogen free (SPF) and specific pathogen resistant (SPR) strains, a higher growth rate,suitability to be higher stocking density, tolerance to a
wider range of temperature and salinity, a lower protein requirement in diet, easier to breed and higher survival in larval rearing. These aspects could explain the increasing
preference to culture this species. This information will expand our knowledge and may contribute to develop effective prophylactic or therapeutic measures. Recent
studies have shown that viruses have the ability to manipulate the life histories and understanding of the hosts in remarkable ways, challenging our understanding of the
almost invisible world of viruses[16].