Organizers of the Fifth World Potato Congress have announced that it will be postponed from its original April 20-25 dates to next October or November.
The Congress will still be held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
The postponement comes following the appearance of a virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The virus is spreading from its origin in southern China to several places in the world.
The directors and host committee will decide the most suitable date and inform everyone later this week.
Organizers said the Congress had been receiving cancellations and thought it best to postpone the event until health officials get the virus under control.