First report of African eggplant mosaic virus in Switzerland and in the EPPO region
African eggplant mosaic virus (Potyvirus melongenae, AEMV) was first detected in a sample of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) from Tanzania dating back to 2013, and had not been reported from anywhere else in the world since.
In August 2025, AEMV was identified simultaneously on three farms in Ticino (Switzerland), all of which had received plants from the same nursery in Italy. Infested plants are tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and presented symptoms on fruits.
The pest status of African eggplant mosaic virus in Switzerland is officially declared as: Present, in specific parts of the country, where host crop(s) are grown.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2026-02).