World's First Vaccine To Protect Bee Populations Approved In The US

The United States just approved the world's first vaccine for honey bees. Honey bee colonies around the world are collapsing, instilling fear in my scientists that bees might perish due to climate changes, taking us with them.

To prevent bee deaths caused from American foulbrood disease (a bacterial condition that weakens bee colonies), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a conditional license for the vaccine this week, the BBC reported.

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How does the vaccine work?

The vaccine works by introducing an inactive version of the bacteria into the royal jelly that is fed to the queen bee. Her larvae then gain immunity against this disease.

According to USDA, multiple overlapping factors cause honey bee populations to die off, including pests, diseases, parasites, and a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder wherein worker bees abandon a hive, leaving their queen behind.

Also read:?Bees Have Tasted Flesh: Shortage Of Nectar Means Bees Are Evolving To Eat Meat

Bees are pollinators, just like birds and bats and are therefore considered intrinsic to the survival of human populations. UN states that pollinators are responsible for about a third of all crop production in the world.

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American foulbrood disease is extremely contagious among bees and has no cure. Once it spreads in a colony, keepers have to burn it along with hives and equipment. Nearby colonies have to be treated with antibiotics in the aftermath.

Also read:?Bee Populations Are Dying: Humans And Science Need To Act Fast To Save Bees

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This new vaccine contains an inactive version of a bacteria called Paenibacillus larvae that causes American foulbrood disease. By inserting the bacteria into the royal jelly feed given by worker bees to the queen bee, immunity against the disease is provided as the queen bee's larvae hatch.

What do you think about the world's first vaccine to prevent bee deaths? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.?

References

Halpert, B. M. (2023, January 5). US approves world’s first vaccine for declining honey bees. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64180181