Jim wrote:
Not only do mites transmit viruses to bees, but mites also transmit viruses
to other mites via bee larvae.

Old news!

Jim said:
. Chang's work also appears to prove that colonies that have   viruses are
always colonies that have varroa.

The above hypothesis would be hard to prove as all colonies now in most
areas carry a varroa load and it was Dr. Shiminuki's opinion and mine that
the spread of viral infections progressed directly in porportion with the
increase in varroa load in the hive.

Jim said:
I'd guess that it will be "the advance of the year", if not the decade.

Bailey proved the above at least to myself and I believe Dr. Shiminuki (head
of Beltsville when varroa arrived) years ago (late 1980's).

Now comes the question we all asked ourselves back in the late 1980's and I
suppose this discussion is headed to.

WHEN WE CAN'T EVEN CONTROL MANY VIRAL INFECTIONS IN HUMANS HOW ARE WE GOING
TO CONTROL VIRAL INFECTIONS IN HONEY BEES?

 The general consensus back in the late 1980's was to put a name on the
problem *PMS* (U.S.D.A. in the U.S.) and realize than when you get open
sores from varroa sucking blood and varroa carrying viruses you are going to
get all of the problems talked about by Jim and others.

When we took the discussion to its conclusion we found the virus information
*interesting* but only a symptom of advance varroa infestation and we saw
*no solution*.

 If there is a solution I would be interested as through private emails from
the U.K. with the researchers continuing the work of Bailey they believe
bees can survive varroa if it were not for the viral infections but how do
we cure the viral infections?

 Take these pills and if not better call the beekeeper back in the morning !

Bob

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