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Real-time PCR and real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR) methods have been developed for shrimp viruses. Real-time PCR was developed for the detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV). Real-time RT-PCR was developed to detect Taura syndrome virus (TSV) and yellow head virus (YHV). The work involves the selection of PCR (and RT-PCR) primers and TaqMan probes from the viral genomes. These primers/probes proved to be conserved among various viral isolates, and they are specific to each virus. The assay protocols have been optimized to include 300 nM of primers and 150 nM of TaqMan probe. Recombinant plasmids were constructed and cloned to use as positive controls. The sensitivity was determined to be less than 10 copies for IHHNV and WSSV, and 10-100 for YHV and TSV. This method, which has been shown to be rapid with high throughput and sensitivity, can be used to screen viruses in shrimp and other marine products that are imported to the United States as well as to those that are being exported.