Update on the situation of Erwinia amylovora in the Republic of Korea
In the Republic of Korea, the first outbreak of Erwinia amylovora (EPPO A2 List) was reported in 2015 (EPPO RS 2015/089) in pear (Pyrus sp.) orchards in the cities of Anseong and Cheonan. Other infected areas were subsequently detected in Anseong, Cheonan, and Jecheon (EPPO RS 2015/089, 2016/162, 2017/053, 2017/206) and all were subjected to eradication measures. Results of surveys conducted in 2019 (as of June 2019) confirmed the presence of E. amylovora in 17 pear orchards and in 99 apple (Malus domestica) orchards using molecular techniques. Infected orchards were located within an area of approximately 15 km diameter in Anseong city (9 pear orchards) and Cheonan city (6 apple orchards), corresponding to the outbreak area of 2015-2018. Other infected areas were found in Chungju (2 pear orchards, 49 apple orchards) and Jecheon (44 apple orchards) where outbreaks had been detected in 2018, and the bacterium was found for the first time in Eumseong (6 apple orchards). All infected plants have been destroyed and survey activities will continue in 2019, as part of the eradication program.
The pest status of Erwinia amylovora in the Republic of Korea is officially declared as: Transient: actionable, under eradication program
Sources
IPPC website. Official Pest Reports – Republic of Korea (KOR-09/1 of 2019-07-02) Report of outbreak of Erwinia amylovora in Rep. of Korea in 2019. https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/republic-of-korea/pestreports/2019/07/report-of-outbreak-of-erwinia-amylovora-in-rep-of-korea-in-2019/