What is AFB?

What is AFB?

What is AFB and how is it caused?

American foulbrood disease is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. Until recently, the bacterium was known as Bacillus larvae, but scientists have now determined that the organism should be in its own unique genus (Paenibacillus).

Life cycle of AFB

The bacterium causing AFB exists in two forms (the spore form and the vegetative form), both of which are microscopic in size.

Bacterial spores can be thought of as seeds that assist the bacteria in spreading from one suitable host to another and resisting adverse conditions. Spores of Paenibacillus larvae can survive outside a honey bee colony for more than 35 years, and are able to withstand very high temperatures, including boiling water.

The spores are also resistant to a range of disinfectants. AFB spores can survive more than 35 years, and withstand boiling water and many disinfectants.

A honey bee larva is usually infected by being fed AFB spores which contaminate the brood food placed in its cell by nurse bees. The larva eats the spores, which then germinate in the larval gut, and turn into the vegetative form of the bacterium.

The vegetative form is in the shape of rods. These rods penetrate the gut wall of the larva, where they multiply, consuming the larval tissues. Death of the developing bee usually occurs either in the pre-pupal stage or just after pupation. When the vegetative rods have consumed all of the larval tissues, they turn into spores again. A single diseased larva may contain more than 2.5 billion spores. House bees in the colony try to remove diseased larvae and pupae and in so doing become contaminated with spores. New larvae are infected when they are fed contaminated food.

Spores are the only form of the disease that can infect healthy larvae. As well, the spores can only increase in number by infecting a larva. They do not multiply in any other environment (e.g. honey or beekeeping equipment). AFB spores will only multiply inside a larva.

AFB Quiz
Take the AFB 5 minute quiz

How well do you know what you need to know about AFB and beekeeping? Take our short quiz and find out.

AFB Videos
Videos

Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.

AFB Symptoms
Symptoms

There’s a lot of good information here, telling you everything you need to know about recognising AFB: the visual symptoms, smell of AFB and more.

AFB Inspection and Diagnosis
Inspection and Diagnosis

Successfully eliminate AFB by telling the difference between symptoms of AFB and other brood diseases in the hive. We tell you the best methods for inspecting your hives.

AFB Law
The Law

New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.

AFB Elimination
Elimination

Most hives become infected because bees, honey or equipment have been put into a hive from another hive that is infected with AFB. Lower your chances of an  AFB infection by reading this section.

AFB Course Info
AFB Recognition Course Info

Find out when the next AFB Recognition and Competency Courses, or Refresher Courses are available. These are held throughout the year in various New Zealand locations across the South Island and North Island.

AFB App
The AFB App

Follow the link below to open the App. Once open to save to your device you need to bookmark the URL on your phone so you can find it easily again. Please click here to open.

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