Heres my take on the KBV.
     It is very harmful to bees with the mites and the mites seem to act as
a vector for the KBV. It seems to endemic in Australia and NZ. They are free
of mites according to their marketing info. The KBV has been found in
several places in US and Canada. Bees with mites and KBV seem to have no
hope for cure. The International movement of honeybees seems to be speeding
up the widespresd distribution of KBV. For my part until we prove a vital
need to move bees around the world, besides proprietory needs, that we
should restrict the movement of honey bees known to have KBV. Many will
disagree and they have honey bees for sale that have KBV endemic to their
honey bees. Hoping this will get posted and that is helpful to your
question.
 
                Walter Patton
-----Original Message-----
From: Sid Pullinger <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, February 12, 1999 8:19 AM
Subject: Kashmir Bee Virus
 
 
>Hello All,   I have just been presented with two totally opposing views
>with regard to this virus.
>(1)  It is very dangerous and will result in the death of the colony.
>(2)  It is not  a serious problem and it is endemic in various parts of t=
>he
>world.
>They cannot both be right.  Has anyone personal experience of it?  I
>understand it is quite common in New Zealand.  Would anyone in that count=
>ry
>care to comment, please.
>Over sixty years of beekeeping and still learning.
>        Sid P.          Southern England
>