In a recent article which I read with interest : " Iridovirus and Micosporidian linked to Honey Bee Colony Decline" published October 6, 2010 in the Scientific Journal PLoS ONE; Scientists have found new 2 unreported RNA viruses in North America which live in honey bees. It could be a clue to the cause of CCD (colony collapse disorder), which in recent years have decimated the American honeybee population by 40% with no known scientific causes so far. Many causes have been suggested to the mysterious disappearance of bees while overwintering: viruses, parasites, fungi, pesticides, malnutrition and stress, in combination or not. Some ideas have been already refuted. However, a team of scientists with the help of the U.S. military, discovered as I mentioned two new viruses : Varroa destructor-1 virus and Kakugo virus, together called: IIV (invertebrate iridescent virus...no need to know that really!)
What is interesting to note is not only the IIV seems to be associated with the honey bee collapse, but paired with Nosema ( a common fungal bee disease which can be controlled) has been observed to be lethal to bees from samples taken from commercial apiaries across the USA. In comparison, the pathogen pairing was not observed in samples from colonies with no history of CCD. This important finding then could suggest that bees co-infected with those 2 pathogens at the same time is eminently more lethal to honey bees than either pathogen alone.
What is interesting to note is not only the IIV seems to be associated with the honey bee collapse, but paired with Nosema ( a common fungal bee disease which can be controlled) has been observed to be lethal to bees from samples taken from commercial apiaries across the USA. In comparison, the pathogen pairing was not observed in samples from colonies with no history of CCD. This important finding then could suggest that bees co-infected with those 2 pathogens at the same time is eminently more lethal to honey bees than either pathogen alone. However like any viruses IIV is vulnerable and can't replicate at very high temperatures (85 F). As beekeepers we may receive some instructions on how to protect our bees in the near future but it seems to me that just like humans when our immune system is weak, the chance to get sick is greater. So maybe by controlling the overall good health of a colony of bees would help. Still a lot of questions remain with no clear answers.
Article: http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0013181
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