Bacteria that can kill citrus trees detected

State agricultural inspectors have detected bacteria that can cause a disease deadly to citrus trees during routine pest trapping in Fallbrook, county officials announced Thursday.

The bacteria, which is not harmful to people or animals, was detected on insects.

A routine spot check by the California Department of Food & Agriculture on Monday collected a group of four adult Asian citrus psyllids from a citrus tree on residential property in the Fallbrook area carrying the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus.

These bacteria can cause a citrus disease called Huanglongbing. At this time, the disease has not been detected in citrus trees in San Diego County. Samples from trees on that property and the surrounding area were undergoing tests for the disease, which is fatal to citrus trees and has no cure.

Results should be available next week. If the test results are positive on the foliage, then a 5-mile quarantine for the disease will be triggered.

The disease is considered a major threat to San Diego County’s $150 million annual citrus crop and can impact residential citrus tree growers with misshapen, bitter fruit and eventually kill the tree.

“Rapidly detecting and controlling the spread of the Asian citrus psyllids that carries Huanglongbing continues to be a priority for the County,” said San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang. “While ACPs are frequently found in our ongoing mitigation efforts, the bacteria have never been found locally before.”

The detection of the bacteria triggers additional sampling and testing of both citrus trees and the insects on residential properties in a 250-meter area surrounding the detection site. The county department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures and the state food and agriculture department will work with residents in the immediate area to arrange for treatment of citrus trees.

County officials are also notifying local citrus growers, plant nurseries and other related businesses.