Epidemiology and Biosecurity for Veterinarians Working with Honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Honeybee veterinary medicine is a developing field in Canada and the United States. Veterinarians interested in working with honeybees should develop a comprehensive knowledge base on disease dynamics as it applies to the individual, colony, apiary, and broader honeybee populations. There are currently several governmental, academic, and industry organizations that are carrying out epidemiological-based surveys. Although honeybees face unique challenges in regard to biosecurity, the basic principles still apply. Veterinarians can use their expertise in the area of biosecurity to make improvements to current protocols within the apiary and beekeeping operations.