Chapter 9.5.

tropilaelaps infestation of honey bees

Article 9.5.1.

Early signs of infection normally go unnoticed, but the growth in the mite population is rapid leading to high hive mortality. The infection spreads by direct contact from adult bee to adult bee, and by the movement of infested bees and bee brood. The mite can also act as a vector for viruses of the honey bee.

Standards for diagnostic tests are described in the Terrestrial Manual.

Article 9.5.2.

The Tropilaelaps status of a country or zone/compartment (under study) can only be determined after considering the following criteria:

1. a risk assessment has been conducted, identifying all potential factors for Tropilaelaps occurrence and their historic perspective;

    

2. Tropilaelaps infestation should be notifiable in the whole country or zone/compartment (under study) and all clinical signs suggestive of Tropilaelaps infestation should be subjected to field and laboratory investigations;

    

3. an on-going awareness programme should be in place to encourage reporting of all cases suggestive of Tropilaelaps infestation;

    

4. the Veterinary Authority or other competent authority with responsibility for the health of honey bees should have current knowledge of, and authority over, all domesticated apiaries in the country.

Article 9.5.3.

1. Historically free status

   A country or zone/compartment (under study) may be considered free from the disease after conducting a risk assessment as referred to in Article 9.5.2. but without formally applying a specific surveillance programme if the country or zone/compartment (under study) complies with the provisions of Chapter 1.4.

2. Free status as a result of an eradication programme

   A country or zone/compartment (under study) which does not meet the conditions of point 1 above may be considered free from Tropilaelaps infestation after conducting a risk assessment as referred to in Article 9.5.2. and when:

   1. the Veterinary Authority or other competent authority with responsibility for the health of honey bees has current knowledge of, and authority over, all domesticated apiaries existing in the country or zone/compartment (under study);

   2. Tropilaelaps infestation is notifiable in the whole country or zone/compartment (under study), and any clinical cases suggestive of Tropilaelaps infestation are subjected to field and laboratory investigations;

   3. for the 3 years following the last reported case of Tropilaelaps infestation, an annual survey supervised by the Veterinary Authority, with negative results, have been carried out on a representative sample of apiaries in the country or zone/compartment (under study) to provide a confidence level of at least 95% of detecting Tropilaelaps infestation if at least 1% of the apiaries were infected at a within-apiary prevalence rate of at least 5% of the hives; such surveys may be targeted towards areas with a higher likelihood of infestation;

   4. to maintain free status, an annual survey supervised by the Veterinary Authority, with negative results, is carried out on a representative sample of apiaries in the country or zone/compartment (under study) to indicate that there has been no new cases; such surveys may be targeted towards areas with a higher likelihood of disease;

   5. (under study) there is no self-sustaining feral population of A. mellifera, A. dorsata or A. laboriosa, or other possible host species in the country or zone/compartment (under study);

   6. the importation of the commodities listed in this Chapter into the country or zone/compartment (under study) is carried out, in conformity with the recommendations of this Chapter.

Article 9.5.4.

Regardless of the status of the exporting country with regard to Tropilaelaps infestation, Veterinary Authorities should authorise without restriction the import or transit through their territory of the following commodities:

1. honey bee semen, honey bee eggs and honey bee venom;

2. extracted honey and beeswax (not in the form of honeycomb).

Article 9.5.5.

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the bees come from a country or zone/compartment (under study) officially free from Tropilaelaps infestation.

Article 9.5.6.

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the bees have been held in isolation from brood and bees with access to brood, for a period of at least 7 days.

Article 9.5.7.

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the equipment:

1. comes from a country or zone/compartment (under study) free from Tropilaelaps infestation; or

2. contains no live honey bees or bee brood and has been held away from contact with live honey bees for at least 7 days prior to shipment; or

3. has been treated to ensure the destruction of Tropilaelaps spp., in conformity with one of the procedures referred to in Chapter X.X. (under study).

Article 9.5.8.

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the products:

1. come from a country or zone/compartment (under study) free from Tropilaelaps infestation; or

2. contain no live honey bees or bee brood and has been held away from contact with live honey bees for at least 7 days prior to shipment; or

3. have been treated to ensure the destruction of Tropilaelaps spp., in conformity with one of the procedures referred to in Chapter X.X. (under study).