Plum pox virus is a serious plant disease infecting stone fruit species of the genus Prunus including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, almonds and ornamental varieties. Although it doesn't kill trees, it can drastically reduce yields. Plum pox virus is transmitted from infected trees by aphids or by grafting or budding. While it poses no risk to human or animal health, it is a threat to Canada's tender fruit, fruit processing, and nursery industries.
Report a plum pox virus sighting
Where it is
Plum pox virus is present in parts of the Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton, Ontario. Consult the Plum Pox Virus Infested Place Order for the list of regulated areas.
How to spot it
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Chlorotic ring spots on fruit -
Chlorotic ring spots on leaves -
Chlorotic ring spots on leaves
The symptoms of plum pox virus are:
- chlorotic ring spots on leaves and fruit
- fruit deformity
- decrease in fruit yield
- early fruit drop
What you can do
Report a plum pox virus sighting if you see any symptoms on a peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, cherry or almond tree.
Don't move regulated Prunus species plant material, or propagate them, outside of regulated areas. Consult the Plum Pox Virus Infested Place Order for the list of regulated species and areas.
What we are doing
Plum pox virus is a regulated pest in Canada. We continue to implement Canada's Plum Pox Management and Monitoring Program to mitigate it's spread and protect non-infested areas of Canada.
Through the Plum Pox Virus Infested Place Order, a regulated area has been designated in parts of the Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton, Ontario, where a propagation ban and movement restrictions are in place. We conduct regular sampling and inspections inside and along the boundary lines of the regulated area to monitor the spread of plum pox virus and verify compliance with requirements.
- 2025 inspection survey (Public notice)
- Changes to Canada's Plum Pox Management and Monitoring Program (Notice to industry, 2022-04-14)
- Regulated area expanded for plum pox virus in the Niagara Region (News release, 2025-02-24)
- Importing susceptible material from the United States (D-99-07)
- Domestic movement of susceptible plant material (D-99-07)
- Import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting (D-08-04)