Citrus tree in Calexico tests positive for deadly disease

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) - A residential citrus tree in Calexico tested positive for an incurable plant disease.

The disease is called called huanglongbing (HLB) that infects and kills all citrus tree varieties. This is the first detection of the deadly citrus tree disease in Imperial County.

HLB can be spread by a small pest called Asian citrus psyllid, or ACP for short, as it feeds on leaves and stems of citrus trees.

While HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, once a tree is infected, it will die and must be removed.

To limit the spread of HLB, a citrus plant quarantine was done in Imperial County.