FAQs related to Deformed wing bee virus identified in Waikato and Northland

What effect will deformed bee wing virus have on beekeepers/beekeeping industry?

DWV is more likely to affect beehives weakened by the varroa bee mite. Beekeepers with healthy hives and good varroa management practices are much less likely to be affected by DWV.

How quickly will Deformed wing virus spread?

It may have been here for sometime and may already be widespread. Biosecurity New Zealand is doing tracing and surveillance to find this out.

Will Deformed wing virus affect environmental/human health?

There are no known effects on environmental or human health.

What movement controls are in place for Deformed wing virus?

Biosecurity New Zealand will not be considering controlled areas or restricted place notices. Imposing a controlled area without a fuller picture of the distribution of DWV could place unnecessary restrictions on beekeeping businesses, with no benefit.

What has happened to bees/hives affected by Deformed wing virus?

We have only just received the results and will be working with the affected beekeepers on tracing their bee movements. We are carrying out immediate surveillance.

How did Deformed wing virus get here?

The virus may have been here for some time. Clinical disease is often associated with varroa mite infestation in bees.

Where was Deformed wing virus found?

It has been found in Waikato and Northland. A sample tested from the South Island was negative for Deformed Wing Virus.

Is Deformed wing virus an unwanted organism?

DWV has not been declared an unwanted organism. Biosecurity New Zealand cannot make any judgements on its status until results of tracing and surveillance are available.

When was Deformed wing virus found?

A beekeeper notified Biosecurity New Zealand in late February via the Exotic Pest and Disease 0800 number (0800 80 99 66). The disease was confirmed by a new Polymerase Chain Reaction test, which analyses genetic material, developed and implemented at the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre in Wallaceville. It is the first laboratory confirmation of the virus in New Zealand.

What are the clinical signs of deformed bee wing virus?

In healthy hives, DWV tends to remain in low levels in the bees and exists as a symptomless, low-grade infection. However, when the bees are infested with varroa and the virus concentrations rise, bees emerge from the pupa stage with a variety of deformities such as stubby, useless wings, shortened, rounded abdomens, miscoloring and paralysis. Typically, the individually affected bees will be driven from the hive and in any case they survive less than 48 hours.

What is deformed wing virus?

Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) is a virus which affects honey bees. It was first isolated from a sample of symptomatic honeybees from Japan in the early 1980s and is currently distributed worldwide. The virus is spread vertically (from queen to offspring via the egg) and horizontally (from bee to bee) through several means including faecal oral spread and the vector varroa mite. Varroa is believed to induce the virus, affect bee immunity, and also inoculate it directly into bee larvae. Clinical signs associated with the virus (disease) occur when hives are parasitized with varroa mite.