Since we are talking about foundation as a repository of AFB spores and
that no AFB has been found in SA using foundation from outside the country,
is there something else at work here?

Does the process that converts used wax to foundation kill off the AFB? I
am sure that some AFB "infected" wax makes its way to the processors, but,
even in the US it does not appear to cause outbreaks of AFB.

Bees will chew up foundation, so it seems that if there were AFB in the
foundation after processing, it would be cropping up all over. Especially
since it would be randomly distributed in large quantities of wax and
therefor in foundation sold to hundreds of customers. And it takes less
than 25 or so spores to start the cycle, but millions are created with
every dead bee. Which translates to a lot of spores in very little wax.

Anyone know the answer?

Bill Truesdell
Bath, ME