There are fears that an Aussie Christmas favourite will be in short supply this year as an infectious disease emerges in prawn populations across Queensland.

Three sites have so far tested positive to white spot disease, a waterborne bacteria that poses no threat for humans but prevents the growth of crustaceans and is detrimental to farming crops.

Australia is long thought to have been free of the virus, but the disease has cropped up in land-based prawn farms, as well as wild prawn populations in the Logan River.

The Queensland Government has promised to kill off infected prawn populations in coming weeks as a part of a decontamination plan, but the damage may already be done as families begin shopping for their Christmas feast over the next few days.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has already halted the import of prawns from the region as a safety precaution. “NSW has implemented an importation order prohibiting uncooked prawns from the area within a 10km radius of the first infected premises on the Logan River,” a spokeswoman said.

With prawn numbers reduced, The Daily Telegraph has reported that prices could sell for more than $50 per kilogram.