Identification of Xanthomonas vasicola (formerly X. campestris pv. musacearum), causative organism of banana xanthomonas wilt, in Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi

In Tanzania, the disease was first reported in the Kagera region of north west Tanzania, bordering Lake Victoria, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, in September 2005. Spread has continued, but not to other major banana growing areas. In Kenya, the disease was first reported in September 2006 in the Teso District, of western Kenya, bordering Uganda. Spread has since been reported as slow. In Burundi the disease was first observed during October 2006. The current status of BXW in Burundi is unclear with no recent substantiated reports.