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April 2012
Click on photo to enlarge
Bats exhibiting Geomyces destructans fungus on their muzzles. This fungus causes WNS in bats.
Nancy Heaslip, New York Department of Environmental Conservation |
| If you find 5 or more dead bats at a location or notice bats exhibiting unusual behavior such as flying outside during freezing weather, please leave a message with the requested information on our Wildlife Health Hotline (800) 606-8768. |
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Click on map to enlarge
Range map for White Nose Syndrome.
Map: Cal Butchkoski, PA Game Commission |
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) of bats is a disease caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans. The disease is estimated to have killed over five million bats in the eastern United States between 2006 and April 2012, and can kill up to 100 % of bats in a colony during hibernation. Although it has not been found in Washington to date, the fungus and disease are spreading rapidly across North America towards the West and into Canada.
The fungus grows on the noses, wings and ears of bats during winter hibernation, giving them a white, fuzzy appearance. The fungus invades the deep skin tissues and causes extensive damage. Affected bats arouse more often during hibernation which causes them to burn up their crucial fat reserves needed to sustain them through hibernation, leading to starvation and death. Additional hypothesized causes for mortalities include impairment of physiological processes due to wing damage, including reduced circulatory and thermoregulatory abilities, reduced gas exchange capabilities and dehydration.
To date, six cave hibernating species of bats in the eastern US have been found to be afflicted by WNS. These include the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), northern long-eared bat (M. septentrionalis), eastern small-footed bat (M. leibii), Indiana bat (M. sodalis; federally endangered), tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Three additional species have been found with the causative fungus on them, but have not developed the disease. The reason(s) they have not developed disease is unknown, Little brown bats and big brown bats occur in Washington, in addition to another 11 cave/mine-roosting species that are potentially at risk in this state. There is currently no indication that humans or other animal species are susceptible to infection with the fungus that causes WNS.
Clinical signs of WNS in bats include:
- the presence of a white powder-appearing substance on their nose, wings or ears during hibernation when their body temperatures are reduced and the environment is near freezing;
- emaciation;
- damaged wings; and
- activity during winter, including flying outside during freezing temperatures.
WNS appears to spread primarily through physical bat-to-bat contact or infected environment-to-bat contact. Humans have the potential to spread the fungus to new locations when it may attach to clothing and gear used in caves, mines and roosts. Those who visit bat roosts, caves, and mines are strongly urged to decontaminate all clothing and gear afterwards by using appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols (see US Fish and Wildlife Service Decontamination Protocol)
- Advise the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or the US Fish and Wildlife Service immediately if you suspect you have seen bats with this condition, or if you see bats flying outside during freezing temperatures.
- Do not handle animals that appear sick or are found dead. Bats should never be handled by anyone other than qualified specialists who have been vaccinated against rabies.
- Avoid entering caves and mines for unnecessary reasons to avoid disturbing bats and potentially spreading this condition to unaffected areas.
- People who must enter caves, mines or bat roosts are advised to decontaminate all equipment and clothing between caves, mines and bat roosts. Do not allow dogs in caves (they may act as carriers of the fungus to new sites)
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Greg Turner with many dead bats during winter.
PA Game Commission |
Bats are valuable members of ecosystems around the world. One colony of bats can consume many tons of insects that would otherwise consume valuablecrops and forests, or otherwise threaten human health and well-being.Many species of bats are also valuable for the pollination of plants and dispersal of plant seeds.
Over five million bats are estimated to have died due to this disease over the past few years in the eastern US and Canada, with as much as 100% mortality in some colonies. This disease could possibly lead to the extinction of some bat species.
- White-nose Syndrome (WNS) causes very high mortality (up to 100%) in bat colonies during hibernation.
- The pathogen responsible for WNS is a newly described fungus, Geomyces destructans. No other pathogens or causes have been found to date.
- Bat-to-bat and infected cave or mine –to-bat contact appear to be the primary transmission routes, although humans can likely transfer the fungus to new locations and thereby assist in spreading the disease.
- The fungus and disease are spreading across North America towards the West and into Canada.
- All species of cave-hibernating bats are potentially susceptible, currently 6 species are known to be affected.
- Kristin Mansfield, DVM, MPVM
- Ella Rowan, MS
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