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American foulbrood detected in apiary near Alyth, Perthshire.

An outbreak of American foulbrood (AFB), a disease affecting colonies of honeybees, has been found in an apiary near Alyth, Perthshire. The disease was confirmed today following laboratory diagnosis by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA).

The AFB infected hives are being destroyed as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK. There are no risks to public health from AFB and no implications for the quality and safety of honey. The movement of bees and related equipment into, or out of, the affected apiary are under specific controls supervised by Scottish Government Bee Inspectors and include enhanced biosecurity measures and increased vigilance in the area

Bee farmers and beekeepers are being urged to be vigilant for signs of the disease, to maintain good husbandry practices and to notify any suspicion of disease to BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Classic signs of the disease are sunken cappings on cells, which when uncapped reveal dead larvae in various stages of decomposition. The larvae have a caramel like, light to dark brown consistency and when drawn out, the decomposing material strings out rather than snapping off – the ropiness test.

In order to assist Scottish Government Bee Inspectors to control this and other diseases, beekeepers are urged to register on BeeBase, the national bee database. This will give them access to up-to-date information on the control of AFB and bee related issues.

Beekeepers in the area of this outbreak who are not on BeeBase are requested to register at: https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/public/register.cfm or send their contact details to: BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.