Bee Disease Confirmed
American Foulbrood found in West Lothian

An outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB), a disease affecting honeybees, has been found
in an apiary in West Lothian.
The disease was discovered today (July 16) by a Scottish Government Bee Inspector.
A 5km Infected Area has been declared around the apiary, located between Linlithgow and
Kirkliston. The movement of bees and related equipment is prohibited, except under licence
from the Scottish Government.
The infected area extends from the Forth in the north to Uphall and Broxburn in the
south, and from Linlithgow in the west to between Winchburgh and Kirkliston in the east.
Bee inspectors will be carrying out inspections on apiaries in the area in coming days.
Hives with AFB must be destroyed as there is no known treatment. There are no risks to
public health from AFB and no implications for the quality and safety of honey.
Beekeepers are urged to check their hives and notify any suspicion of disease to
BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
In order to assist Scottish Government Bee Inspectors to control the disease beekeepers
are urged to register on BeeBase, the national bee database. This will give them access
to up-to-date information on control of American Foulbrood and bee related issues.
Beekeepers in the area of this outbreak who are not on Beebase are requested to send their
contact details to BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Background
AFB is a notifiable disease under The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Scotland) Order
2007. It kills off bee larva, is highly contagious and difficult to eradicate.
There were outbreaks of AFB and European Foulbrood (EFB) in Scotland during 2009.
The Scottish Government and bee stakeholders have created an EFB control strategy for
2010. This involves a heightened level of inspections, biosecurity, quarantine measures and
movement reporting.
Last month the Scottish Government launched the first Honey Bee Health Strategy to
tackle the causes of declining bee health. The Strategy focuses on four areas, i) education,
training and Knowledge transfer, ii) communication, ii) surveillance, diagnosis and
biosecurity, iv) Research and Development
St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.scotland.gov.uk
Up to the minute information, and details on how to register on BeeBase, can be found at
www.scotland.gov.uk/beehealth.
Contact
Duty Communications : 0131 556 8400