Florida agriculture officials have found further trees infected with citrus canker in the Ruskin area.

The discovery of a further four trees brings the total in the area up to 11 and follows outbreaks in Hillsborough and Sun City Centre.

A survey is now underway to determine the total number of infected trees in Ruskin and to decide the number of healthy trees that will need to be removed to contain the canker.

Canker is a serious threat to the Florida citrus industry as it is untreatable and causes premature leaf and fruit drop.

Officials think the disease has been spread by the hurricanes last year. All trees within 1,900 feet of the infected trees will be removed, whether they show signs of infection or not

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