"McInnis and Gregg suspect iridovirus — a virus that suppresses the
immune system — could be infecting honeybees and keeping them from
returning to their colonies. The virus, McInnis said, may have an
“AIDS-like effect” on the bees, making them more susceptible to common
diseases that wouldn’t normally be fatal to them.
“I think this could be earth-shattering information if we’re right.
Everybody depends on honeybees to help grow the food that we eat,” said
Gregg, who while working at Plum Island treated African swine fever in
pigs — a virus similar to the one he’s investigating with McInnis. “Most
other people trying to solve this problem are looking at pesticide use.
There are very few others who are investigating the possible spread of a
virus.”
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/greenport-teen-joe-mcinnis-wins-award-for-honeybee-research-1.11888138
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