The California Department of Food and Agriculture has declared a new citrus quarantine in northern San Diego County and part of Camp Pendleton after detecting Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in a residential tree in San Clemente. This marks San Diego’s first multi-jurisdictional quarantine, spanning southern Orange County to northern San Diego, including Camp Pendleton. Existing quarantines in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center remain in effect.
HLB is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid and is deadly to citrus, causing bitter, misshapen fruit and eventually killing trees. While not harmful to humans or animals, the disease threatens San Diego County’s $144 million citrus industry and residential growers. Movement of citrus plants and fruit outside quarantine