A highly infectious disease has been found in a honey bee colony in the Drenthe village of Zuidlaren.

American foulbrood only infects bee larvae but is deadly to bee brood. As bees attempt to remove the infected larvae, who become sticky and smelly, they transfer the spores of the disease throughout the hive.

The economic affairs ministry said the entire colony has now been killed and has imposed a ban on the transport of bees in the region in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bee keepers who suspect their hives may have been infected have to report the matter to the authorities. There have been several outbreaks in Belgium so far this year.