Update on the situation of citrus yellow vein clearing virus in Spain
In Spain, citrus yellow vein clearing virus (Potexvirus citriflavivenae, CYVCV, EPPO Alert List) was first reported in September 2025 in Cataluña and in Comunidad Valenciana (RS 2026/039). The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first findings of CYVCV in the autonomous communities of Andalucía and Región de Murcia.
Andalucía
Official surveys were conducted in 2026 in nurseries and citrus commercial orchards.
CYVCV was detected in a one-year-old symptomatic lemon tree (Citrus x limon 'Verna') in May 2026 in a plantation in Huércal-Overa municipality (Almería province). The identity of the pest was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory. The farmer decided to uproot all citrus plants from the plot.
During further surveys in May 2026, asymptomatic orange (Citrus x aurantium var. sinensis) trees in two plantations in Vera and Huércal-Overa municipalities tested positive for CYVCV. No demarcated area has been established but precautionary phytosanitary measures were applied, including the application of plant protection products and control of aphid vectors.
Región de Murcia
Following notification of symptoms of CYVCV by two farmers, CYVCV was detected in four symptomatic one-year-old lemon trees (Citrus × limon) and one one-year-old asymptomatic orange tree (Citrus × aurantium var sinensis ‘Sanguinelli’) in April 2026 in plantations in the municipalities of Blanca and Mula (Murcia province). The virus was identified by molecular testing. The seedlings had originated from nurseries in other regions of Spain. No demarcated area has been established but precautionary phytosanitary measures are applied including treatments against insect vectors, the destruction of plants that tested positive for CYVCV and the disinfection of cutting tools. Surveys to detect CYVCV in nurseries and plantations of young trees are ongoing.
The pest status of citrus yellow vein clearing virus in Spain is officially declared as: Present, in specific parts of the Member State, where host crop(s) are grown, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2026-06).