We (Newfoundland, Canada) are currently participating in a European research project related to identifying ancestral strain(s) of DWV. We know that DWV is endemic in our honey bees but it is non-apparent; we very, very rarely see any bees with deformed wings.  Of course, DWV is non-apparent here in the absence of Varroa.  We do not know what strain(s) of DWV we have here.  We have prioritized research related to the study of endemic pathogens in both our Apis and non-Apis populations.  Virtually nothing is known about the existing pathogens in our Bombus species in Newfoundland and Labrador, and as a result, we have no understanding of the possible effects of apiculture on these species.  I, personally, do not like this data dearth - ignorance is not bliss!

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