Plum pox potyvirus found again in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Plum pox potyvirus (EPPO A2 list) had first been detected in 1967 but was successfully eradicated at the end of the 1970s. Later outbreaks sporadically occurred, but these were all contained. Despite all these efforts, new outbreaks of PPV were discovered in 2004 in a few newly planted orchards of plums (Prunus domestica), mainly located in the German-speaking part and to a lesser extent in the French-speaking part (Valais). So far, only PPV-D has been detected in infected orchards. Eradication measures are being taken.
The situation of Plum pox potyvirus in Switzerland can be described as follows: Present, first reported in 1967 but successfully eradicated in the 1970s; found again in 2004 in a few plum orchards, now under eradication.
Sources
Web site Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil. Communiqué de presse du 20 janvier 2006. Le virus de la sharka est de retour sur les Prunus en Suisse. http://www.racchangins.ch/media/presse/2006/cp04-06.pdf