Polynesia: launched a program against the Citrus Tristeza virus

In particular, it provides for a ban on the transport of host plants from an infested island to an island not affected or under an official control programme, and for the movement of host plants. These measures will be applied during the diagnosis period of the various declared infested areas of the island. It requires the destruction of any known infested plants, analytical monitoring of all host plants within a 20m radius around each plant that tests positive, as well as an appropriate vector aphid control programme.

Tristeza is a viral disease caused by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), which attacks the Rutaceae family, including citrus fruits and kumquats. It leads to a drop in quality and yield and can cause total tree decline. There is no effective way to combat it. The virus can be carried by contaminated plants or parts of plants (grafted plants, scions, layers, cuttings) of the Rutaceae family, including Citrus, Poncirus, FortuneUa and its hybrids, and is spread locally by vector aphids. Leafless fruits and seeds do not transmit the disease. It has the particularity of being able to be asymptomatic. Symptoms and signs are therefore difficult to detect visually. Only analysis can reveal the presence of the virus on a plant.

An area declared infested is placed under enhanced surveillance for at least three months with CTV tests being performed every month, then if necessary, every quarter.