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Wild bees threatened by infectious diseases
Bumblebee
A survey of 26 sites across Great Britain identified five viruses.

Study reveals that viruses can spread easily between pollinator species

A network of viruses, previously associated with managed honeybees, may now threaten wild bumblebees, according to a study led by the Royal Holloway University of London.

Published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the study shows multiple interconnected diseases that pose a widespread risk to several species of bumblebee and the managed bumblebee, which are essential pollinators of many wild flowers and agriculture crops.

Professor Mark Brown from Royal Holloway's School of Biological Sciences said: "Our results confirm a recent review of potential threats to pollinators, indicating that so-called called honey bee viruses are widespread in wild bees. It is imperative that we take the next step and identify how these viruses are transmitted among honeybees and wild bees, so that we can manage both to reduce their risk of diseases."

A survey of 26 sites across Great Britain identified five viruses - deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus, slow bee paralysis virus, acute bee paralysis virus and sac brood virus.

Some of these infection levels were highest in honeybees and for others they were highest in bumblebees, suggesting that some viruses are predominately spread by honeybees, while others rely on wild bumblebees.

Dr Dino McMahon from Queen’s University, Belfast, said: “Our findings are important because they indicate that many viruses can spread easily between pollinator species and, furthermore, that they can reach very high disease levels in wild bumblebees.”

Professor Robert Paxton, also from Queen’s University, added: “Our previous research suggested that a key virus of the honeybee – deformed wing virus – spills over to infect bumble bees, probably via contact at flowers. We now find that other viruses may be doing the same. Yet our new findings also highlight just how little we know of bee parasites and the role they play in the decline of pollinators.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.