What is the primary cause of American Foulbrood (AFB)?

The primary cause of American Foulbrood (AFB) is indeed bacterial spores that can survive for decades. The bacteria responsible for AFB, Paenibacillus larvae, creates spores that are highly resilient and can endure extreme environmental conditions. These spores can remain viable in a hive for many years, even in the absence of a bee colony. When bees ingest these spores, they can become infected, leading to the disease manifesting in the brood (larvae). Due to the long survival time of the spores and their infectious nature, AFB poses a significant threat to honeybee populations and requires strict management and control measures to prevent its spread among hives.