Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject: 'Serious threat' from bee disease
Beekeepers in Scotland have warned of a serious threat to the industry after a deadly disease was discovered.
At least four hives and three apiaries in Perthshire have been found to be infected with American Foulbrood (AFB).
The honeybee disease was discovered while investigating cases of European Foulbrood (EFB) in the area.
Colonies infected with EFB can be saved if the case is not serious. However, those with AFB cannot be treated with antibiotics and have to be destroyed.
Foulbrood is caused by a bacterium which gets inside bee larvae and uses up their food supply, starving them to death.
EFB was discovered in Perthshire and Angus last month.
Gavin Ramsay from the Scottish Beekeepers Association said: "It's the worst problem in beekeeping in Scotland for very many years.
"It's going to be very disruptive to beekeeping probably for a few years.
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