The variation between countries for AFB is interesting. Australia and several others require both the colony and the hive - all of it - to be burned (gamma radiation treatment is also acceptable for woodware  in Australia, and hot wax dipping in NZ). In the UK, the colony and combs must be destroyed but the remaining woodware can be scorched with a blowtorch. In Denmark colonies can be shaken onto clean foundation in a new hive, as some have described, the infected combs destroyed and the remaining woodware treated by a choice of several methods. OTC is not generally permitted as an AFB treatment or prophylactic in Europe or Australia.

Over 90 years of experience, the Danes have found the success of the 'shook swarm' method depends on the strain of bee having a natural resistance, i.e. it doesn't always work. If I remember correctly, Denmark has a higher level of AFB infection than surrounding countries which require destruction, but not greatly higher.

Given selection for hygienic bees to counter varroa, we may also be encouraging more colonies to resist AFB and tolerate infection at low levels, but thereby acting as reservoirs.

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