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r. TYLCV— Hazard Identification. The TYLCV is believed to <br />have entered the state in Dade County sometime in early 1997 <br />(Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, <br />1999). Symptoms vary among tomato types, but in general, <br />leaves produced shortly after infection are reduced in size, <br />distorted, cupped inward or downward, and have a yellow <br />mottle. Fewer than 1 in 10 flowers will produce fruit after <br />TYLCV infection, severely reducing yields. <br />The virus is transmitted by adult silverleaf whiteflies. Although <br />frequent applications of pesticides help to decrease whitefly <br />populations and suppress the spread of TYLCV, virus <br />management through whitefly control is not possible in years <br />where whitefly populations are high. Fortunately, the virus is <br />not transmitted through seed or casual contact with infected <br />plants. <br />Vulnerability Assessment. Agricultural pests and diseases <br />can have the following potential impacts within a community: <br />• Human health and safety; <br />• Psychological hardship <br />• Economic disruption; <br />• Agricultural/fisheries damage; and <br />• Damage to critical environmental resources. <br />Agricultural pests and diseases are a more significant hazard <br />in those areas of the County where agriculture is a more <br />significant element in the economic base. The western portion <br />of Indian River County is a major ranching area, and there are <br />numerous nurseries and smaller agricultural -related <br />businesses located throughout the County. <br />Risk Assessment. Because agricultural pests and diseases <br />can have a significant impact on agricultural -related <br />businesses, it is important to look at agricultural -related income <br />to determine potential loss. Approximately 14 million cartons of <br />"Indian River" fruit were exported during the 2006-2007 <br />season. The State of Florida is the nation's largest producer <br />of fresh tomatoes and the crop value for the 2013-2014 <br />season exceeds $348 million (floridatomatoes.org, 2014). The <br />Fellsmere and Wabasso areas are major agribusiness centers. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 55 <br />