Moku virus detection in honey bees, Belgium, 2018

Transbound Emerg Dis. 2019 Jan;66(1):43-46. doi: 10.1111/tbed.13055. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Abstract

We report the detection of Moku virus in honey bees (Apis mellifera) collected in 2017 from hives with a history of attacks by invasive Asian hornets (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in Belgium. End 2016, Moku virus was reported in Asian hornets from the same area. In addition, the Moku virus was already present in historical samples of bees collected in 2013, that is, 2 years after the official first detection of Asian hornets in the same area of Belgium. This study suggests a spread of Moku virus to honey bees with possible consequences.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Vespa velutina nigrithorax; Asian hornet; Belgium; Moku Virus; RNA; honey bee.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / virology*
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Insect Viruses / genetics
  • Insect Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • RNA Virus Infections / veterinary*
  • RNA Virus Infections / virology
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Wasps / virology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

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