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Bats in Washington and the rest of the west have so far escaped the deadly disease that is killing bats in the northeast part of the country.
But bat enthusiasts everywhere are advised to avoid visiting bat-roosting caves to minimize spreading the disease, and to watch for signs of the disease so any spread can be identified.
The alert is not a concern for human health. There is no known risk to humans from White Nose Syndrome (WNS), as the disease is called after the white fungus found on the noses and wings of dead or dying bats. WNS appears to spread from bat to bat, but it might also be spread by humans transporting fungal spores from cave to cave.
The concern, explains Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson, is for the welfare of our bats here in Washington and elsewhere in the country.
“Little brown bats and big brown bats have been among the species affected by this disease in the northeast,” he said, “and those are among the most common of our 16 species in Washington. The eastern big-eared bat has also been infected and that gives us concern for our own unique and relatively rare western big-eared bat.”
Up to one million bats of six species have died from WNS in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia since the winter of 2006-07 when it was first found in New York .
Federal and state researchers have associated WNS with a newly identified fungus (Geomyces sp.) that thrives in the cold and humid conditions of caves and other winter hibernation locations or “hibernacula”. Bats affected don’t always have obvious fungal growth, but they display abnormal behavior in late winter and spring, including:
- flying during the day in temperatures at or below freezing;
- clustered near the entrance to hibernacula; or
- dead or dying bats on the ground, buildings, or trees.
If you find dead or dying bats, contact WDFW locally or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at WhiteNoseBats@fws.gov, to report your observation.
As with all wildlife, use protective gear (disposable gloves, double plastic bags, etc.) and good personal hygiene (thoroughly wash hands and clothing that might come in contact, etc.) if you need to dispose of a dead bat.
For more information, see:
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html,
http://www.fort.usgs.gov/WNS/, and
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/index.jsp. |
