Most states with foulbrood laws have additional provisions for salvaging equipment, instead of burning it. This would involve ethylene oxide, irradiation, or conceivably autoclaving. However, many of these routes are not cost effective. Additionally, as Jerry stated, some states permit treatment of light infections of AFB with antibiotics. 

There is a great difference of opinion on the merit of such a course ranging from (A) once a hive has foulbrood spores, it will always have them --to  (B) given a little help, a normal hive can clean up and rid itself of the infection. Often this call is left up to individual inspectors who should have the expertise to make such a judgement. 

Unfortunately, once a beekeeper thinks that AFB is controllable with drugs, he or she may attempt to treat very advanced cases this way, and spread the infection around until it's everywhere. This is why so many experts still insist that burning is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way of controlling the infection. 

PLB

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