Using quarantines to eliminate AFB

摘要

The most powerful tool for American foulbrood disease (AFB) control, other than adequate inspections, is the use of quarantines. Quarantines restrict beekeeper movement of equipment, and consequently AFB, between hives or apiaries. The effectiveness of a quarantine is dependent on how strict it is. Quarantines do, however, usually require more time and a higher level of organisation. Quarantines are effective because most AFB is spread by the movement of equipment between hives rather than by the bees themselves. We know this because there are many examples where two beekeepers have their apiaries interspersed in the same district One of the beekeepers may have a very high level of AFB where the other beekeeper has a very low incidence. If AFB was mainly spread by bees, rather than beekeepers, the incidence of AFB would be expected to be relatively uniform within an area.