Researchers warn 'Ebola for plants' hitting Africa's cassava crop

Africa is the world's largest producer of cassava, accounting for 57 percent of a crop that some 800 million people around the world rely on. (AFP)

The brown streak virus is threatening cassava, one of Africa's most vital food crops

A new disease infecting cassava -- dubbed "Ebola for plants" -- could spell a looming food crisis for Africa, researchers have warned, fearful that the emerging blight could decimate one of the continent's most vital food crops.