Smith JA, Quesada T, Alake G, Anger N (2022) Transcontinental Dispersal of Nonendemic Fungal Pathogens through Wooden Handicraft Imports. Mbio 13(4),  01075-22. 

https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01075-22

This study, the first of its kind, demonstrates the risk of importation of nonendemic foreign fungi on wooden handicrafts into the United States despite the application of sanitation protocols. Previous risk assessments of imported wood products have focused on potential for introduction of invasive arthropods (and their fungal symbionts) or have focused on other classes of wood products (timber, wooden furniture, garden products, etc.). Little to no attention has been paid to wooden handicrafts and the fungal pathogens (of plants and humans) they may carry. Due to the large size and diversity of this market, the risk for introduction of potentially dangerous pathogens is significant as illustrated by the results of this study.