The two diseases , American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood, are very serious , potentially fatal bacterial diseases of honeybee colonies. They are called foulbrood because they affect the developing larvae which, when they die, produce a foul smelling odour. The diseases are global and have been known since ancient times. Aristotle described the conditions in his lifetime. American Foulbrood is caused by a rod shaped bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae, which exists in a spore form and a vegetative form. European Foulbrood is a bacterium, Melissococcus plutonius which does not sporulate. The pathogenesis of these infections are quite different and if left will destroy the colony. They are highly infectious and can easily spread with the behaviour of bees and the actions of beekeepers. Most European countries have these diseases classed as notifiable with the legal requirement that if suspected, it must be reported to the authorities for examination by a bee inspector. If a positive diagnosis is made, then mandatory destruction of the colony, with euthanasia and burning is required for AFB. EFB diagnosis will usually require euthanasia and burning but in some cases, shook swarm procedure or antibiotics can be utilized. Apiaries are placed on standstill until two clear inspections have occurred. Countries with a stringent bee inspection system have lower incidence, but because these bacteria are ubiquitous, it is unlikely that eradication can be achieved.

• Both American Foulbrood and European are global diseases.
• Both are notifiable diseases in most European countries.
• Both infections kill honeybee colonies.
• AFB bacillus , Paenibacillus larvae , is a spore forming bacteria and survives for up t 60 years
• EFB bacillus, Melissococus plutonius is a non spore forming bacteria survives about a year.
• Colony culling is by far the best method of controlling outbreaks.