copyright: Iupac auf Pixabay
American foulbrood in bees
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
On June 10, 2026, the outbreak of "American Foulbrood" was officially confirmed for the first time in a bee population in Hückeswagen. Subsequent environmental investigations by the Veterinary Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis identified further outbreaks. As a result, the pre-existing restricted area was expanded multiple times.
If you have any questions, please contact the Veterinary Office at the following phone number: 02261-88-3907
Observe restricted area and rules!
The Oberbergischer Kreis has established a restricted area because "American Foulbrood" has been detected in a bee stand. A restricted area with a radius of approximately one kilometer has been designated around the affected bee stand.
The current restricted area covers almost the entire area of the city of Radevormwald as well as parts of the city of Hückeswagen and the city of Wipperfürth. The restricted area extends to the borders of the cities of Remscheid and Wuppertal, the Ennepe-Ruhr district, and the Märkischer Kreis in the west, north, and east.
An image of the map can be found here
Foulbrood is a bacterial infectious disease ("Paenibacillus larvae") that affects the brood of the affected bee colonies. The pathogen is transmitted in the form of infectious spores by foraging bees to the brood present in the beehive. Most of the brood dies, causing the number of bees in the affected colony to decrease to the point where it no longer has the necessary strength to overwinter. The bee colony ages and eventually dies. Adult bees do not contract foulbrood. To combat foulbrood, infected colonies must be sanitized or, in the worst case, destroyed.
The bee disease is harmless to humans. Honey can continue to be consumed without any restrictions.
Beekeepers in the restricted area must now adhere to various regulations:
-
Every beekeeper holding bees in the restricted area is required to immediately report the current inventory and precise locations to the Veterinary Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis. (amt39@obk.de or 02261-88 3931)
-
Movable bee hives must not be removed from their location. Additionally, no bees may be brought into the restricted area.
-
Bee colonies, live or dead bees, combs, comb parts, comb debris, wax, honey, food supplies, and used equipment must not be removed from the bee stands.
All bee stands in the restricted area will be inspected by the Veterinary Office in due course.
American Foulbrood is a bee disease
Foulbrood is a bacterial infectious disease ("Paenibacillus larvae") that affects the brood of the affected bee colonies.
The pathogen is transmitted in the form of infectious spores by foraging bees to the brood present in the beehive. Most of the brood dies, causing the number of bees in the affected colony to decrease to the point where it no longer has the necessary strength to overwinter. The bee colony ages and eventually dies. Adult bees do not contract foulbrood. To combat foulbrood, infected colonies must be sanitized or, in the worst case, destroyed.
The bee disease is harmless to humans. Honey can continue to be consumed without any restrictions.
