Help, I might have AFB!
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Diagnose the symptoms
Check if you have AFB with our app EAST
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What to do if you have AFB
Follow these steps to elimination EAST
All about
AFB
What is AFB
American foulbrood (AFB) is a fatal bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae infecting the brood of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). The disease is present in almost all countries where honey bees are found.
Why is AFB elimination so important?
AFB was first recorded in New Zealand in 1877, 38 years after honeybees were introduced. Within 10 years, the disease had spread to all parts of New Zealand and was being blamed for a 70% reduction in the nation’s honey production. It reached a peak in 1990 before a comprehensive AFB control programme run by the National Beekeepers Association (NBA) began to decrease the reported incidence of the disease with inspection, support of beekeepers experiencing AFB, research, and education on AFB and approved destruction methods. Poorly managed AFB has proven to have a significant financial impact on affected beekeepers and the sector and poses a threat to the sector’s access to valuable export markets.
Today, AFB control is legislated by the Biosecurity (National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan) Order 1998 or AFB NPMP.
How will we achieve elimination?
In 2024, The Management Agency shared the AFB NPMP Change Programme with beekeepers. The programme objective is to accelerate the elimination of AFB from managed beehives in New Zealand by transforming beekeeper focus from ‘presence or absence of AFB’ to the ‘implementation of good AFB elimination practices’. Five key priorities have been identified and implementation is in progress, rolling out over several years as allowed by funding and responsible resource allocation.
Next steps
if you have AFB
Step 1
Identify AFB.
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Use our symptoms app EAST
Step 2
Destroy within 7 days using best practice.
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Best practice guides EAST
Step 3
Report AFB within 7 days via HiveHub.
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HiveHub login EAST