Prevalence of Virus Infections of Honeybees in Eastern Australia

Abstract
Five viruses were detected in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies of primarily Eastern Australian origin. These were sac-brood virus (SBV), black queen-cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee-paralysis virus (CBPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and cloudy-wing virus (CWV). The presence of CBPV and SBV could be associated with specific clinical signs whereas BQCV, KBV and CWV could not. SBV was the most common virus encountered and showed an obvious seasonal fluctuation of infection. KBV showed a peak of infection during one year but BQCV and CWV did not show an obvious seasonal fluctuation of infection.