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A vaccine for bees has an unexpected effect

Honeybees immunized against bacteria also fought off a virus

A honeybee perches on a purple wallflower. The bee is sipping nectar from the flower's yellow anthers. A new bee vaccine may protect against a bacterial and a viral disease.

Honeybees are under stress from pesticides, mites and a variety of diseases. Now, a new vaccine aimed at protecting bees from a serious bacterial infection may do double duty by warding off a virus.

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By Tina Hesman Saey

WASHINGTON — The first vaccine designed for insects may make honeybees healthier overall.

Honeybee hives vaccinated against a bacterial disease had much lower levels of an unrelated viral disease than did unvaccinated hives, veterinarian Nigel Swift of Dalan Animal Health reported April 3 at the World Vaccine Congress.