White Nose Syndrome in Bats
—Jeni Casinelli, Education and Program Coordinator
What is white nose syndrome?
White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease which affects hibernating bats. It has been detected in the Eastern United States and is spreading west. White nose syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans which appears as a white fungus on the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats.
The disease wakes bats during hibernation and causes strange behavior. Bats affected by WNS have been found to fly during the day in the winter months and move to the front of their hibernacula or hibernation spots within caves. This movement in winter leads to an increase in use of energy and consumption of stored fat, ultimately leading to their demise.
Source: CBS News
What has WNS done to the bat population and how will this affect our ecosystem?
Since the detection of WNS in 2007, it has killed over 5.7 million bats. Half of the 47 bat species in the US and Canada are hibernating bats and thus predicted to be susceptible to this deadly disease. Currently, 7 species have been confirmed with WNS and 5 more species have been detected to carry the fungus. Once a particular hibernacula is infected with WNS, the population experiences a 90 - 100 % mortality rate. WNS has particularly devastated the little brown bat population who have experienced a 93% decline since detection.
Scientists are not just worried about the decline in bat populations, but what it means for the rest of the ecosystem. Hibernating bat species are insect-eating. In one night a single bat can eat 1,000 insects per hour and usually feeds about 3 - 6 hours per night. Therefore, scientists are concerned about how this will affect the balance within our ecosystem as mosquito populations will increase as bat populations decline.
Transmission and containment
This disease ultimately spreads from bat to bat, but inadvertently spreads from cave to cave through human movement of contaminated gear and clothing. The fungus originally came to the United States from Europe through human transmission. It is native to European caves where it evolved to co-exist with European bats and does not pose a threat there.
While there is not a cure or exact answer to stop the spread of WNS, we can all take part in helping the declining bat populations by following a few simple rules:
-
Never handle bats.
-
If you come across a live or dead bat with WNS, contact your state wildlife agency.
-
Always observe cave closures and follow proper decontamination procedures
