Alarm over deaths of bees from rapidly spreading viral disease
Written by Patrick Barkham
Researchers study whether new strain of chronic bee paralysis virus is responsible
A viral disease that causes honey bees to suffer severe trembling, flightlessness and death within a week is spreading exponentially in Britain.
Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) was only recorded in Lincolnshire in 2007. A decade later, it was found in 39 of 47 English counties and six of eight Welsh counties, according to data collected from visits to more than 24,000 beekeepers.
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