A control order was put in place in Queensland on Monday (June 16) in a bid to stop the highly contagious tomato brown rugose fruit virus from entering the State. The virus, which affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies, does not pose any risk to human health.
It causes yellow and brown spots to appear on leaves, fruit and stems. Infected fruit can also be deformed or ripen irregularly. The virus spreads easily through contaminated equipment, vehicles, tools, hands, packaging, clothing and by direct plant-to-plant contact.
It can also be carried by seeds and transmitted through grafting, irrigation water and contaminated soil. It is considered a threat to Australia's vegetable industry.
The virus was first reported in 2014 on tomatoes in Israel. It has since been reported in Europe, the Middle East, China, Mexico and California. It was first detected in Australia in August last year in South Australia, and then in Victoria in January.
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