Second case of citrus disease found in L.A. County

California agriculture officials have discovered the second case of huanglongbing, a fatal citrus disease, in the San Gabriel area of Los Angeles County.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture said the disease, also known as citrus greening, was detected in plant material taken from a kumquat tree in a residential neighborhood.

This is only the second time the disease been found in California, the nation’s leading supplier of navel oranges. The first find was in 2012 in a residential citrus tree in Hacienda Heights, about 15 miles from San Gabriel.

Citrus greening does not pose a threat to humans or animals but is deadly to citrus trees. The Asian citrus psyllid can spread the bacteria as the pest feeds on citrus trees and other plants. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure. It typically declines and dies within a few years.

“Citrus is a cherished part of our landscape and our shared history, as well as a major agricultural crop,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “CDFA is moving quickly to protect the state’s citrus. We have been planning and preparing for HLB detections with our growers and our colleagues at the federal and local levels since before the Asian citrus psyllid was first detected here in 2008.”

A CDFA crew removed and disposed of the infected tree. The state will also begin treating citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid within 800 meters of the find site.

An intensive survey of local citrus trees and psyllids has also been launched to find out if the disease has spread. A quarantine of the area to limit the spread of the disease is also expected soon. The state will restrict the movement of citrus trees, citrus plant parts, green waste, and all citrus fruit except what is commercially cleaned and packed. As part of the quarantine, citrus and closely related plants at nurseries in the area will be placed on hold.

The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected in California in 2008, and quarantines are now in place in 17 California counties. If Californians have questions about the ACP or HLB, they may call CDFA’s toll-free pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or visit: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/acp/

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Second case of citrus disease found in L.A. County."