AMERICAN FOULBROOD

 

 

American Foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial disease that affects honeybee brood. It is one of the most severe and contagious diseases that honeybees can face. If left untreated, it can lead to the death of an entire colony. If you do suspect foulbrood contact your National Bee Unit Inspector for further advice - This is a reportable disease.

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Symptoms: AFB affects bee larvae in the early stages of development. The larvae infected with AFB will turn brown and emit a foul odour. As the disease progresses, the infected larvae will die and form a hard, black scale at the bottom of the cell. The scale is highly infectious and can infect other larvae in the colony. Infected bees may also have sunken and perforated capping's, and the colony may have a weak or queenless appearance.

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Treatments: There is no cure for AFB once a colony is infected. The only effective treatment is to destroy the infected hive and equipment to prevent the spread of the disease. This is necessary because AFB spores can survive for a long time and can be easily spread by contaminated equipment, such as frames and hives. Beekeepers must contact their local beekeeping association or state apiary inspector to report a suspected AFB outbreak.

 

Prevention Measures: Preventing AFB is the best strategy to avoid losing entire colonies to the disease.

 

Here are some prevention measures beekeepers can take:

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Use Clean Equipment: Ensure that all equipment used in beekeeping, including frames and hives, are clean and free from any AFB spores. The use of irradiation, flaming, or chemical treatments can help eliminate spores.

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Practice Good Hygiene: Proper hygiene practices such as hand washing, and wearing clean protective clothing can help prevent the spread of AFB.

Monitor Colonies: Regular inspections of colonies can help beekeepers detect early signs of AFB. If an infection is detected early, it is easier to contain and prevent the spread of the disease.

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Re-queen: Re-queening can help prevent AFB, as a new queen can introduce a stronger genetic strain that is more resistant to the disease.

 

Educate Beekeepers: Educating beekeepers on AFB, its symptoms, and the importance of reporting any suspected outbreaks can help prevent the spread of the disease.

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American Foulbrood is a severe disease that can have devastating effects on honeybee colonies. Prevention measures such as good hygiene practices, the use of clean equipment, and regular monitoring of colonies can help reduce the risk of an outbreak. In the event of an outbreak, it is essential to report it to the local beekeeping association or state apiary inspector to prevent the spread of the disease.