A suspected case of the more virulent strain of the kiwifruit vine-killing disease PSA has been found outside Te Puke where it was first confirmed last year.
The industry is also monitoring developments over the disease in Italy and France.
The general manager of Kiwifruit Vine Health says two of the new possible PSA-V infection cases are outside the priority zone in Te Puke and the third is in Gisborne.
John Burke says confirmed results should be available in a fortnight and in the meantime, the orchards are being treated as if they have the more virulent strain of the disease.
The industry has also been keeping a close eye on the spread of PSA in France and Italy as it is now spring.
The development of the disease in Italy is particularly disturbing, Mr Burke says.
