While inspecting in PA in the late 70's I had two distinct memorable instances where "clean" hives picked up AFB. One was a first time beekeeper with brand new equipment, the other was a lifelong beekeeper with no AFB history and no new bees or used equipment. After more local inspecting I found yards heavily infected with AFB within a mile in each case. No proof, but my conclusion was that robbing bees had spread the disease. I spent more than a few days digging pits and burning equipment during those summers.
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