The world's first vaccine for honeybees has been approved by the US government, offering hope in the fight against the collapse of bee colonies. Developed by Dalan Animal Health in partnership with the University of Georgia, the vaccine works by vaccinating the queen bee, which passes immunity to her offspring. Bees pollinate one-third of food grown in the US, making them essential to the production of $15bn worth of crops annually. Bee colonies are collapsing due to disease, parasites, pesticides and climate change-fuelled droughts, but the vaccine offers the possibility of preventing bacterial disease American foulbrood, which currently has no cure.
Photo Credit: Ante Hamersmit
Comments