European Foulbrood

European foulbrood (EFB) is a bacterial disease which is not as severe as AFB. EFB affects brood under 2 days old. The bacteria are ingested by brood and multiplies in the larval gut, consuming the larvae's food. The larvae dies of starvation. Like AFB, the domestic bees and nurse bees become contaminated when they clean cells. The disease usually spreads from colony to colony on bees moving between hives.

Symptoms

• Larvae looks contorted and curled before capping.
• Larval colour changes from white to translucent, yellow, and finally brown.
• A sour smell is detectable in the hive.

Treatment

• Treatment is the same AFB, except the hive does not need to be destroyed. Good hive management prevents EFB.