Ian says :  "From the perspective of a US beekeeper, or the perspective from a beekeeper outside of the country, is there not some form of government surveillance program set up to track and document cases of disease and pests? I'm sure there is, I have seen American maps highlighting AHB zones, and SHB zones. "

One answer: "From the perspective of a US beekeeper...":

In the US, there is what we call  - National Animal Health Reporting System. This program is run under the USDA - APHIS - Animal Health - Veterinary Services structure.
The NAHRS reportable disease list includes all OIE-reportable diseases for cattle, small ruminants, horses, swine, poultry, and aquaculture.

IT DOES NOT include, the OIE-reportable diseases for the bees.

So, no US government surveillance program set up to track bee diseases, gathered by REQUIRED, MANDATORY reporting. 

Pests invasions sure...AHB and SHB, the USDA/APHIS has its own surveillance and monitoring that they themselves carry out. On their own time and coin. Some States might have some different State supported and directed programs.

Now, NAHRS and OIE work and colaborate on a lot of issues. 

OIE list of diseases, does include some bee diseases. These are:

European foulbrood, American foulbrood, Infestation of honey bees with Acarapis woodi, infestations with Tropilaelaps spp., infestations with Varroa spp. and infestations with Aethina tumida.

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