Foulbrood

American foulbrood (also called "malignant foulbrood")

This highly contagious disease is harmless to adult bees and humans, and the honey is not at risk in any way. However, the brood cells in the bee colony are fatally affected. The cause is a bacterium that forms spores that spread rapidly and lead to the death of the brood. Because of the high risk of infection for other bee colonies, foulbrood is a notifiable disease.

European foulbrood (also called "benign foulbrood")

This is also a bacterial disease, but the pathogen is less resistant and only affects larvae less than 48 hours old. Hive bees usually identify and eliminate infected bees themselves. Although this type of foulbrood is less dangerous and less contagious, it is still mandatory to report. However, bee colonies are often able to cure themselves of this disease.