Complete Genome Sequence of a White Spot Syndrome Virus to Trace the Outbreak Source in Bangladesh

White spot disease (WSD) exhibits plethora of clinical signs including lethargy, reduced food consumption, reduced preening activities, a loosening of the cuticle, exoskeletal white calcified spots and a discoloration of the hepatopancreas in shrimp (Verbruggen et al. 2016). White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the causative agent of White spot disease (WSD), and can be found throughout the body of infected shrimp especially black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Witteveldt et al. 2004).At present, there is no effective treatment remained to counteract with the unrestrained occurrence and spread of WSD, while rigorous sanitation practices on shrimp farms have yielded relatively good results. In Bangladesh, previous studies conducted between 2013 to 2017 for VP28, VP664 gene-specific WSSV detection, qPCR assay for WSD diagnosis and quantification of WSSV load in cultured shrimp, inferred the severity of WSD (Siddique et al. 2018). Nevertheless, those reports had some pitfalls on the basis of proper molecular characterization and genotyping of WSSV due to minor variation in VP28 gene, and could not help to design siRNA and vaccine; trace the origin and transmission route of viruses. Therefore, in this project for the first time in Bangladesh, we endeavor to sequence, annotate and describe complete genome of the Bangladeshi WSSV(WSSV-BD) using Next-Generation sequencing (NGS), to identify possible risk pathways for incursion of WSSV into Bangladesh, to advise on future biosecurity management strategies, and to abate the future possible incursions, and finally to identify the source of the virus.Objectives of the study:1. Charaterzing the first complete genome sequence of WSSV from Bangladesh.2. Finding the deletion, insertion and redundant regions of WSSV whole genome sequence comparing with other related WSSVs reported in NCBI GenBank.3. Tracing the source of WSSV, from where it might get originated and spread throughout Bangladesh.4. Counseling on future biosecurity management strategies by probable abating of future viral incursions.