The global trade in bees is driving a pandemic that threatens hives and wild bees, UK scientists say.
A deadly bee disease has spread worldwide through imports of infected honeybees, according to genetic evidence.
Stricter controls are needed to protect bees from other emerging diseases, researchers report in Science journal.
The virus together with the Varroa mite can kill-off whole hives, putting bee populations at risk.
Lead researcher Dr Lena Bayer-Wilfert of the University of Exeter said European bees are at the heart of the global spread of what she calls a "double blow" for colonies.
"This is clearly linked to the human movement of honeybee colonies around the globe," she told BBC News.
"It shows a piece of evidence we can't argue with."
'Major threat'
The pattern of the spread shows the movement of the virus around the world is manmade rather than natural, say scientists=read more=bbc link=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35484763
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