BLC Ports of Paradise issue - need disease ID help

[smokinjoe1952]

I was out of town for about 10 days, and returned to find my BLC had this issue on 3 new growths. New meaning the most recent growths in the last 6 months. There were no issues like this elsewhere on the plant. I have included a pic of the 3 growths I cut off, and the remaining plant. I did my research, but found nothing definitive. This seemed to happen rather suddenly, but It had probably started before I left.

I would ask:

1. What is it?
2. Should I do anything else besides cutting off the diseased growth ?
3. How contagious is it?

Thanks,

SJ