First report of citrus yellow vein clearing virus in Spain
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first findings of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (Potexvirus citriflavivenae, CYVCV, EPPO Alert List) on its territory in the autonomous communities of Cataluña and Comunidad Valenciana.
·Cataluña
Following reports from a grower and a private individual, an inspection was conducted and samples taken in September 2025 in lemon (Citrus x limon) trees from a plantation and an urban orchard, both in the municipality of La Galera (Tarragona province). Two trees from the plantation and one for the orchard tested positive for CYVCV (by RT-PCR) The affected plants were destroyed. Surveys were then conducted for all citrus operators in the area, and 85 positive samples were detected from 13 nurseries on lemon and Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia) in 3 other municipalities in Tarragona province (Alcanar, Freginals, Ulldecona). Some plants showed symptoms, but most were asymptomatic. All infected plants and lots will be destroyed.
·Comunidad Valenciana
Following random sampling for the detection of citrus tristeza virus (Closterovirus tristezae, CTV, EPPO A2 List) in citrus plants, 22 trees from 8 plantations in Castellón and Valencia provinces tested positive by RT-PCR testing for CYVCV in September to October 2025. All plants (Citrus x aurantium var. clementina*, C. reticulata, C. x aurantium var. sinensis, C. x limon, C. x latifolia, C. x aurantium var. unshiu, Citroncirus sp.*) were asymptomatic. Further surveys were conducted in citrus nurseries in these areas, and 22 positive plants were found among 15 lots and mother plants from 6 operators in 4 municipalities in Castellón province. The plants which tested positive and corresponding lots (9949 plants in total) will be destroyed.
Testing was also conducted by the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research in its germplasm bank on citrus material (Citrus x limon, Citrus reticulata, Citroncirus sp., Citrus x aurantium var. sinensis). Six samples tested positive for CYVCV. All samples were asymptomatic.
Vectors of CYVCV, Aphis aurantii, A. gossypii, A. spiraecola and Dialeurodes citri, occur in Spain.
As limited impact has been observed, and many Citrus plants were asymptomatic, no demarcated area has been established. A decision on official phytosanitary measures is pending. Precautionary phytosanitary measures have been applied, including surveys across Comunidad Valenciana and other citrus producing areas to understand the spread and damage of CYVCV in Spain. Plant protection products will be applied in positive plots when vectors are active. Traceback and forward investigations are ongoing on all positive lots from nurseries in Cataluña and Comunidad Valenciana. The source of the outbreak remains unknown.
The pest status of citrus yellow vein clearing virus in Spain is officially declared as: Present, actionable, under surveillance.
*indicates newly reported hosts
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2026-02).
INTERNET
PHYTOMA-España. La Comunidad Valenciana activa las medidas de prevención ante el nuevo virus de los cítricos (2026-02-06). https://www.phytoma.com/noticias/noticias-de-actualidad/la-comunidad-valenciana-activa-las-medidas-de-prevencion-ante-el-nuevo-virus-citricola