As more and more brood becomes infected and dies, the colony dwindles and eventually collapses. One has an advantage if the beekeeper can purchase brand new hive equipment, install package bees, and maintain them perpetually in isolation from other apiaries. This, however, is not always practical or realistic. It always makes good sense to practice sanitation practices such as washing hands and hive tools between apiaries, avoiding used hive equipment of unknown or suspicious history, and avoiding feeding bees honey from unknown sources. It is possible to breed for bees that are genetically resistant to AFB and other diseases.
Hygienic queens are available from nationally-advertised queen breeders.
Another tactic for preventing AFB and a similar disease, European foulbrood, is biennial treatments of the veterinary antibiotic Terramycin J . It is fed as a mixture in either powdered sugar, sugar syrup, or in vegetable oil extender patties. Go to this link for detailed instructions on mixing Terramycin for up to 1,300 colonies. For Georgia, Terramycin treatments are recommended for September and again in February. It is important to never feed Terramycin within four weeks of a nectar flow to avoid contaminating honey for human consumption.