USDA and the affected states are continuing to survey other varieties of wheat, including all varieties grown in Arizona. These efforts include surveys to determine the extent of the infection, and a national survey of grain elevators and export elevators. At this point it is believed that the infection remains localized in southwestern Arizona and adjacent areas of New Mexico and Texas. If Karnal bunt is found, destruction of infected wheat is only one of the options used for eradication. Affected wheat in some instances may still be used for milling, feed, and other purposes under controlled circumstances.
Karnal bunt is a disease of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye.
The disease affects both yield and grain quality. It adversely affects the color, odor, and palatability of flour and other foodstuffs made from wheat. It does not present a risk to human health. Durum wheat, a specialty wheat crop, comprises only 4.7 percent of the total wheat produced in the United States in 1995-96.