Just as BAHA is trying to mitigate the damaging effects of Fowl Typhoid in the Poultry industry, it is now having to deal with the presence of Citrus Leprosis, a viral disease that if left unchecked could spell major problems for the Citrus Industry.
The disease causes severe spotting of fruits and foliage, scaling of branches, fruit and leaf drop, and the eventual decline of citrus trees.
Unlike Fowl Typhoid that was detected a few weeks ago, Citrus Leprosis was detected more than a year ago, but authorities are now concerned that the disease has spread outside of the initial 3 groves located in the vicinity of Maya Center, in the Stann Creek District.
Inability to control the spread of this devastating disease could result in losses of markets for fresh fruits, a reduction in the amount of fruits available for processing, and increased production costs.
But, officials at BAHA believe that the disease is not widely distributed and they'll try and contain it.
BAHA is asking commercial citrus growers and backyard citrus owners to report suspected cases to them or the Citrus Growers Association.
In addition, the public is asked not to move infected fruits or visit infected areas, since these are ways in which the vector and disease are spread.
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