Two new detections of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) have been confirmed in rural residential citrus trees in the city of Visalia in Tulare County, California. The detections resulted from an ongoing survey and sampling activities conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
CYVCV had previously been confirmed in August in the city of Tulare; learn more here. That was the first detection of the virus in the United States.
CDFA staff have been conducting survey and sampling activities of CYVCV host plants in Tulare County on residential properties throughout the area to determine the extent of the disease and potential impacts. Surveys will be ongoing for the near future. Survey results — along with CDFA’s robust pest prevention system that focuses on exclusion and monitoring, as well as CDFA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) experience responding to other vectored disease threats — will be critical in developing an appropriate joint regulatory response.
CYVCV can be spread by vectors as they move from tree to tree, feeding on foliage. The vectors include citrus whitefly, green citrus aphid, melon or cotton aphid and cowpea aphid, which are all known to be present in California. The disease can also be spread through the grafting and movement of infected propagative materials, rootstocks or contaminated tools and equipment.
There is no treatment for this disease. As of now, the best mitigation measure is to control the vectors and sanitize tools and equipment. To the greatest extent possible, growers are encouraged to urge their field crews to clean and sanitize all their equipment thoroughly between jobs or when moving between groves.
Call the CDFA Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899 for answers on questions about CYVCV.
Source: Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program
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