BIOSECURITY officers say they have taken immediate action to contain and exterminate Asian honey bees detected on a cargo vessel that arrived at Townsville from Port Moresby last Friday.
Dead and alive bees were detected as the vessel was being unloaded, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Biosecurity officers said.
Shipping containers and the vessel were carefully inspected by DAFF Biosecurity officers. A pest controller was engaged to exterminate the bees.
Biosecurity officers are continuing surveillance of the area, but so far no additional bees have been found. The vessel has since left Townsville.
Nearly 300 dead bees were collected and these have been examined by DAFF Biosecurity entomologists. To date, no queen bee or hive has been identified.
DAFF Biosecurity says it is working closely with the Queensland Government in an ongoing response to the detection.
Biosecurity officers are continuing surveillance of the area, but so far no additional bees have been found. The vessel has since left Townsville.
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