Citrus canker, a bacterial disease that causes lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit, was discovered at a South Carolina nursery that sells plants over the internet, said the Agriculture Department on Wednesday. The USDA said it was tracking sales to customers in 11 states as part of efforts to contain the disease.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said citrus canker had also been confirmed recently in Alabama. Usually canker is contained to Florida and parts of Louisiana and Texas. Although the disease is not harmful to people and infected fruit is safe to eat, consumers may refuse to buy it because of the lesions.
Plants from the South Carolina nursery were shipped to buyers in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington State between Aug. 5, 2021, and Feb. 7 of this year, said the USDA. “If you purchased a plant or plants that might be infected, APHIS and/or state officials will contact you in the next several days to collect and properly dispose of any plants purchased from the nursery.”
“Citrus canker is an extremely costly disease,” said the American Phytopathological Society, and millions of dollars are spent worldwide each year to prevent, control, or eradicate it. “Undoubtedly, the most serious consequence of citrus canker infestations is the impact on commerce resulting from restrictions to interstate and international transport and sale of fruit originating from infested areas.”