A fungal disease that has killed more than 5.5 million bats is continuing to spread across North America.
White-nose syndrome, first recorded in New York in 2006, is now present in 20 states and four Canadian provinces.
Research just published provides further evidence that the disease is caused by the fungus, and that it originated in Europe.
Last year, researchers and policymakers agreed on a national action plan in order to limit the disease’s impact.
“We now have 19 states that have confirmed the disease, and one additional state that has detected the fungus that causes the disease,” explained Ann Froschauer from the US white-nose syndrome (WNS) co-ordination team at the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
“In addition, we have four Canadian provinces that have also confirmed the disease.”
WNS is named after a white fungus that appears on the muzzle and/or wings of infected animals, and has been described by some biologists as the worst US wildlife health crisis in living memory.
Here to stay
“We recognise that bats are moving the disease pretty efficiently themselves,” Ms Froschauer told BBC News.
“What we are doing in terms of a containment strategy is to basically buy ourselves some time and prevent a big long-distance jump, such as an accidental introduction of the fungus in an area much further than the bats could naturally move it.
White-nose syndrome
- WNS is associated with a fungus known asGeomyces destructans
- Once present in a colony, WNS can wipe out the entire population
- It was first reported in a cave in New York in February 2006
- The most common visible symptom of an infected bat is a white fungus on the animal’s nose, but it can also appear on its wings, ears or tail
- Other symptoms include weight loss and abnormal behaviour, such as flying in daylight or sub-zero temperatures
- Species known to be vulnerable to WNS include: tri-coloured, little brown, big brown, northern long-eared, small-footed and Indiana bats
- There is no known risk to human health
(Source: US Fish & Wildlife Service)
