Officials: Citrus Disease Discovered In Hacienda Heights

HACIENDA HEIGHTS (CBS) — Agricultural officials Friday confirmed the discovery of a citrus disease in Los Angeles County.

KNX 1070's Brian Ping Reports

The disease – known as huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus green – was discovered in a lemon tree in Hacienda Heights, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Officials say HLB is a bacterial disease that attacks the vascular system of trees and doesn't pose any danger to humans or animals. It can be transmitted from plant to plant by the Asian citrus psyllid, a flying insect.

A news release issued by the CDFA says that authorities will work to remove and dispose of the infected tree. They also plan to treat citrus trees within 800 meters of the find.

Officials also say that they have begun to make plans for a quarantine of the infested area in hopes of preventing the spread of the disease by limiting the movement of citrus trees, plant parts, green waste and fruit.

Residents of quarantined areas are being urged not to remove or share citrus fruit, trees, clippings/grafts or related plant material, but said citrus fruit can be harvested and consumed on-site.

To date, there is no cure for the disease once a tree is infected.

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