I finally obtained the REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE OIE AD HOC GROUP ON DISEASES OF HONEY BEES
Paris, 25–27 January 2010

Brief Excerpts:

Concerns were raised that the identity and pathology of Thai sacbrood virus, causing distinct clinical signs in
Asian honey bee colonies, was poorly understood and called for immediate research. Concerns were also
raised that strain variation within the Kashmir virus group could be an issue for bee health and required urgent
research.

Central and South America

Colony collapse disorder (CCD): At the moment, there are no reports of massive colony losses as have been
documented during the last few years in Europe and the USA, characterised by rapid losses of adult worker
bees. This does not mean that there are no colony losses at all in Latin America. There are many reported
cases in relation to specific factors such as Varroa infestations, nutritional problems, toxicological reasons and
Nosema infestations.

Europe

Without any doubt, the Varroa mite represents one of the most important problems for beekeeping in Europe
for many years. Often, treatment is applied too late or incorrectly and the resulting bee damaged to the bee
colony’s death, mainly in autumn and winter. Today, Nosemosis is the most frequent cause of colony losses in
spring. Nosema apis has been nearly completely replaced by Nosema ceranae imported from Asia. Probably
the new pathogen can multiply quicker in warmer climate. In some Mediterranean countries, like Spain, the
new pathogen has been held responsible for some disastrous losses. In the Central and Northern European
countries, however, losses caused by Nosema infestation have not increased.

Polynesia

Little is known about the pest and disease status of honey bees in Polynesia. However, Varroa destructor
has been reported from both Tonga and Hawaii.

A new form of Varroa jacobsoni that is pathogenic to Apis mellifera was detected in Papua New Guinea
(the eastern region of the island of New Guinea) in 2008 and it now presents a major threat to beekeeping
in Oceania (particularly Australia) and globally. The Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), first introduced into
New Guinea during the 1970s from Indonesia, has developed into an invasive pest in eastern parts of
Micronesia (Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands).

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