Field teams will also be surveying the southern boundary of the original controlled area by taking in North Waikato, as well as Waiuku, Pukekawa, Whiri, Huntly, Ngaruawhahia and Orini. Thames, east of the Hauraki Plains will be inspected, as well as Whitikahu in the north of Hamilton and Te Akau in West Waikato. Northern boundary surveillance will take in West Harbour. Hotspot surveillance will continue in the Hauraki Plains, around Kaihere. The trace team has followed up 548 traces from infected properties to date.
Traces are when bees or hives from one infected property are traced to another property.
The follow up of traces continues today in Waiotapu and Netherton. A high-risk trace led the field team to a Whangarei beekeeper who purchased hives nine months ago from the Auckland hotspot area. Apistan diagnostic strips were placed in the hives. Diagnostic strips were also sent to Great Barrier Island after hives and queen bees from the infested area were sent to apiaries there more than two years ago. Apistan diagnostic strips are being placed in the hives, with the results expected later this week.