Disease

Disease threatens bee colonies in South Africa

South Africa’s food security is under threat as its bee colonies are being depleted by an outbreak of American foul brood (AFB) disease.

The chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Bee Farmers Association, Craig Campbell, said the disease had wiped out thousands of colonies in the Western Cape and there were fears it could spread to other provinces. The first outbreak was in 2009 and it is believed that the disease arrived here through imported honey.

“There is no cure for AFB and there’s no guarantee that control measures in the Western Cape will prevent it from spreading,” he said.

The disease is transferred through contact with infected honey and equipment. Infected hives pose a risk to any other bee colonies within a 3km radius.

“What makes its particularly dangerous is that deadly spores can stay alive in the hive for 40 years or more, so it’s important for infected hives to be burnt to protect others,” said Campbell.