Outbreak of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri in Queensland, Australia
In July 2004, a new outbreak of citrus canker (caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri – EPPO A1 list) was discovered in a large commercial citrus orchard (1200 ha) at Emerald, Queensland (AU). Eradication measures were taken and included restrictions on the movements of citrus fruits and massive destruction of trees (so far, it is planned to destroy 80,000 orange and lemon trees). Surveys are being conducted to delimit the outbreak. Samples have been collected and will be sent to USA for DNA testing to try to determine the type of strain and eventually its area of origin. So far, surveys done within a 50 km radius around the infected orchard have not detected the pathogen.
Sources
ProMED postings of 2004-07-12/13/14/15/20/26. Citrus canker outbreak (Queensland) (no. 01 to 08). http://www.promedmail.org
Rural News, Australia, 2004-07-07. Citrus industry prepares to deal with canker outbreak. http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/stories/s1148591.htm