Bob said:
> If so then most likely the source of the Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV). My
comment was only to agree that if it was true that Hack had *by whatever
means* received bees/hives from Canada then it would explain to me a
possible source for the KBV virus.

Answer: Once again Canada ships few queens every year from Ontario
selected stocks that have been bred since I was in Ontario as Buckfast,
Russian or Ontario bees. However, the number of shippers went
significantly down to almost one person due to boarder and health
certificate complications.

> Bob Said:

What information can you share Medhat about the Peace River event which
blamed the widespread hive loss on KBV? Many of us wonder now looking
back if nosema ceranae was also in those samples?
Links to the original newspaper & magazine article is in the archives I
believe.

Answer: This high kill occurred few years ago during a time when Apistan
failed to control mites. We got an emergency reg for Checkmite, not all
beekeepers used checkmite at that time. In fact though everyone called
this bee kill "bee kill from the Peace River", those bees were from the
Peace River but were wintered in British Colombia. British Colombia
Apiculturist had his provincial Animal health lab tested some bee
samples from killed hives or dying hives and found KBV. These bee
colonies were not building population, dwindling population, lethargic
bees on combs, etc. There was no surprise due to high mite levels and
finding KBV. Samples were not checked for nosema ceranae. We did not
even know at that time if N ceranae is north America. The  oldest sample
to show nosema ceranae has been around as early as late 1990's and was
analyzed by USDA was from Beaverlodge lab in the Peace River. It is
unfortunate we don't have earlier samples to know how far back we have
ceranae.  

Randy and Bob said Randy heard the same rumor I did.

Answer: It is funny rumors. If this is the case why CCD reported across
many states. I don't believe all of these states got bees from Canada or
Hacknberg spread all of his bees across that many states. 

Bob Said:

Medhat why were the Canadian researchers so sure KBV was the cause for
the Peace river die off as opposed to saying high varroa load which led
to PMS (parasitic mite syndrome)was responsible?

The case was isolated to few beekeepers from the Peace river who
wintered in British Colombia. Samples were taken from hives with
symptoms as described above. Once dead outs were replaced and mites were
under control. These operations recovered. The most interesting question
we are facing now is that in some hives varroa is under control after
treating hives with legal Apivar (Amitraz) strips but you see bees with
deformed wings! Is this a residual of virus symptoms after varroa gone?
How long does it take these symptoms to disappear if the vector (Varroa)
is not present or at a very low level? 

   Medhat


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