FROM BUZZWORDS, THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW ZEALAND
BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION, NUMBER 51, APRIL 1993.
Here's an update on the chalkbrood situation in Australia:
- The outbreak was first notified by the Queensland state
government on February 1. The initial, visual diagnosis was
later confirmed by Dr. Denis Anderson, CSIRO, Canberra, on
February 8.
- The outbreak was first reported by a commercial beekeeper from
the Warwick area. The disease was noticed in 4 out of 120
nucleus hives.
- By February 12, fifteen apiaries in Queensland had been found
with symptoms of the disease; 11 apiaries in the Warwick area and
4 near Brisbane. It is possible that the two outbreaks are
unrelated.
- At this point no chalkbrood has been found in any other
Australian state. NSW has closed its border with Queensland, on
a temporary basis, to bees, bee hives, and apiary products.
Exceptions include honey heart treated at 70 degrees C for 2
hours, honey which has been tested as negative for chalkbrood,
sealed bee products destined for export, and steam-cleaned honey
drums originating in NSW. Border inspectors are on the lookout
for illegal movements of hives across the border and Australia
Post has been advised to watch out for queen bees posted from
Queensland.
- The NSW Department of Agriculture has sent a mailout to all
4500 registered beekeepers in the state, with information about
the disease, and details on how to inspect for the disease and
where to send suspect samples. Three NSW inspectors have been
sent to Queensland to assist with the inspections.
- According to the NSW Department of Agriculture, if chalkbrood
becomes established in NSW, 'it could cost the industry AUS$22
million per annum in lost production from honey, queen bees,
packages and pollination.'
from Bee Briefs, February 1993; The Australasian Beekeeper,
February 1993
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Nick Wallingford
National Beekeepers Assn of NZ
Internet [log in to unmask]
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