Moku virus detection in honey bees, Belgium, 2018.

We report the detection of Moku virus in honey bees (Apis mellifera) collected in 2017 from hives with a history of attacks by invasive Asian hornets (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in Belgium. End 2016, Moku virus was reported in Asian hornets from the same area. In addition, the Moku virus was already present in historical samples of bees collected in 2013, i.e. two years after the official first detection of Asian hornets in the same area of Belgium. This study suggests a spread of Moku virus to honey bees with possible consequences. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.