Most of Lord Howe Island closed to visitors after outbreak of plant fungus

Permanent park preserve temporarily closed over fears myrtle rust outbreak may compromise endemic plant species

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The majority of Lord Howe Island has been closed to nonessential visitors due to an outbreak of myrtle rust, a highly infectious plant fungus.

Lord Howe’s permanent park preserve, which covers about 70% of the world heritage–listed island, was “temporarily closed to all nonessential visitors, effective immediately”, the Lord Howe Island Board said.

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