Banana Board urges prevention of deadly TR4 disease in Jamaica

By Kimone Witter    

 

Jamaicans travelling to countries where Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is present are urged to be cautious in their movements to prevent transmission of the disease.

 

TR4, a disease of banana or fusarium wilt, is a deadly disease of bananas and plantains.

 

Currently in Venezuela, the disease is soil borne and can spread rapidly. It could potentially devastate the local banana sector if brought into Jamaica.

 

In an interview with JIS News, Janet Conie, General Manager of the Banana Board, said the disease is not in Jamaica, and it is very important to keep it out.

 

Ms. Conie said, while there is a national action plan to protect the banana industry, persons need to be aware of what they can do to prevent TR4 from entering the island. 

 

"This disease exists in Venezuela, very close to Trinidad, and can move on shoes, it moves on tools, it moves on clothing, it moves in plant parts. And so we are making you very aware. We're doing our diagnostics and preparing ourselves to find it, to deal with it, and try and eliminate as best as possible, for the best method is prevention," she said.