A suspected case of a potentially devastating disease to banana crops has been detected in the region that supplies more than 90% of the fruit to Australia.

Farmers are being encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity practices after a suspected case of Panama TR4 disease – a soil fungus – was detected at a far north Queensland banana farm.

The disease is the biggest biosecurity threat to Australia’s $580m banana industry and eradication of the disease is not feasible.

The Tully Valley property, south of Cairns, where the latest case has been detected is close to three other properties infested with the disease first found in Queensland in 2015.

There has been a positive preliminary test for the disease but it could take up to four weeks for a conclusive result, Biosecurity Queensland’s Rhiannon Evans said.

The fungus attacks the banana’s vascular system causing wilting and death of the infected plant.

It has been estimated that 80% of global production is under threat from the fungus, federal authorities said.

The Queensland government has so far spent $42m to manage the disease in the state’s far north.

The industry knew the disease would eventually spread but it’s still bad news, said Australian Banana Growers’ Council chair, Stephen Lowe.

“This is definitely news that no one in our industry wanted to hear,” Lowe said.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the grower affected.

“This is no doubt going to be a challenging time for them and their family, and we will look to help them through this in any way we can.”

Queensland accounts for more than 90% of Australia’s banana production, with most of the farms based in the state’s far north.

People and machinery movement are the biggest threat of disease spread, but heavy rainfall and flooding can also see it move.

The disease is not harmful to humans and does not affect the fruit.

What is Panama disease?

It is a soil fungus that originated in south-east Asia

While it is not harmful to fruit or people, it causes plants to wilt and die

The fungus attacks the banana’s vascular system

Where has it been found?

The disease has been found in south-east Asia, the Middle East, southern Africa and in the Northern Territory and Queensland

The latest potential Queensland case has been found in the Tully Valley, south of Cairns

The property is near three farms where it has previously been detected

When has it emerged in Queensland?