Report of dutch elm disease in Ireland
The aggressive strain of Dutch elm disease has, for the first time, been confirmed recently at three centres in Ireland (Limerick, Dublin, Cork) in the course of routine official sampling.
The common European strain was first recorded in Ireland in 1958 but was probably here much earlier. Surveys up to 1976 failed to confirm the aggressive strain of the disease in Ireland. Over the last three years, however, many elms have been killed here by the disease. The deaths were attributed to the European strain, aggravated by the exceptional drought conditions of the last three years.
A countrywide survey is being undertaken by the two Departments to establish the extent of the outbreak of the new strain of the disease here. It is hoped that this will be completed within the next two months.
Sources
Department of Agriculture, Dublin (1977-10)