A new outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa discovered in Apulia within the buffer zone

The Regional Plant Protection Service of Apulia Region notified the presence of a new outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa in the municipality of Ostuni, province of Brindisi. An infected olive tree has been identified inside a gas station near the highway Brindisi-Bari on the northbound lane, and located in the “buffer zone”, as defined by the Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/764 of the European Commission.

This new outbreak represents the northernmost finding of Xylella fastidiosa in the region, ca. 45 Km from the closest recorded outbreak in Cerano (South of Brindisi). The age of the tree, the location and the distance from the previously recorded outbreaks suggest that this outbreak probably emerged upon the passive movement of infective vectors.

The new outbreak has been reported on the map available on the official website dedicated to Xylella monitoring in Apulia.