[Animals] US approves new vaccine to save bees from mass extinction

[-Artisan ツ]

USDA researchers plan to introduce an inactive version of the disease into newly hatched larvae, to ensure lifelong immunity.
The first bee vaccine was originally intended to prevent mass deaths of major pollinators in the United States. Mainly, as a result of the epidemic of a bacterial disease that attacked honey bees, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA, for its acronym in English) of the country.

American foulbrood disease is a condition that weakens colonies by attacking the larvae of the species. For this reason, hives in the United States suffered considerable losses throughout 2021, according to researchers from the institution. However, after the approval of this vaccine for bees, it promises to mitigate the deaths of pollinators.

How does the bee vaccine work?

As pollinators, bees are an essential part of ecosystems in the United States and around the world. The truly serious thing about this disease is that it attacks bees from a very young age, it is highly contagious and there is no cure. However, it can be prevented with this new vaccine.

On how the new vaccine for bees works, the researchers explain that an inactive version of the bacteria is introduced into the queen's jelly of the hive. Thus, the larvae will be born with a protection that their predecessors did not have. And what's more: they could get immunity against the disease.

According to the researchers, honey bee colonies have suffered annual declines since 2006. Although one of the main threats to these pollinators is this bacterium, the USDA emphasizes that it is not the only one. Pests, parasites, and colony collapse disorder are also severely impacting hives today.

IN SOME CASES, THE SITUATION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE WORKER BEES ABANDON THE QUEEN IN THE COLONY.

Like bats and other winged insects, explains the United Nations World Agricultural Organization, bees are responsible for a third of world agricultural production. For this reason, the executive director of Dalan Animal Health, Annette Kleiser, assures that this is an "advance in the protection of honey bees." More than anything, because it will be a reinforcement for the health of these insects from a very early age.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/vacuna-para-abejas-en-estados-unidos/