Citrus Quarantine Expanded In County After Deadly Disease Detected In Ramona

RAMONA, CA — The California Department of Food and Agriculture declared a new citrus quarantine in Ramona this week after two citrus trees in a residential area tested positive for Huanglongbing, a citrus greening disease.

HLB is not harmful to people or animals, but is deadly to citrus. The bacterial disease is spread by tiny insects, the Asian citrus psyllid. It causes bitter, misshapen fruit and kills infected trees. There is no cure.

This is the first HLB quarantine in the Ramona area and adds to the existing quarantines in Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, Valley Center and Fallbrook.

The quarantine restricts the movement of citrus plants, plant parts and fruit outside the affected area, with limited exceptions for agricultural businesses that follow strict requirements for treatment, cleaning and packing before transporting fruit.

"Valuable lessons from Florida's devastating HLB experience have shaped the way CA regulates and responds to citrus threats," Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang said. "So far, this has helped limit the HLB destruction of CA's citrus industry."

Citrus is one of the county's top crops, valued at nearly $140 million in the 2024 Crop Report. More than 100 businesses may be affected by the new quarantine, including growers with approximately 10 acres of commercial citrus, two commercial nurseries and a farmer's market in downtown Ramona.

Survey efforts will be increased to prevent the spread of the disease, according to the county. If the disease is detected in additional citrus trees in quarantine areas, CDFA officials will contact properties regarding treatment of nearby trees and removal of infected trees.

The county advised reporting citrus trees that seem to be sick or dying to the CDFA at 800-491-1899 or cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp.