White-nose syndrome (WNS), the disease that has killed millions of bats in eastern North America, has been confirmed in bats in the Russell Cave complex in Jackson County, marking the arrival of the disease in Alabama.
White-nose syndrome news
White-nose syndrome spreads in Kentucky
posted February 6, 2012
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has detected white-nose syndrome in bats at three Breckinridge County caves.
Histopathology Confirms White-Nose Syndrome in Bats in Europe
posted February 1, 2012
White-nose syndrome, associated with the fungal skin infection geomycosis, caused regional population collapse in bats in North America. This study, based on histopathology, show the presence of white-nose syndrome in Europe.
Bat Killing Fungus Detected at Liberty Park (Summit County, Ohio)
posted February 1, 2012
Biologists have confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome in bats living in the caves and ledges of Liberty Park in Twinsburg, OH.
The number of infected bats in this northern Summit County park is unknown, but the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed more than 5 million bats in eastern North America since it was first detected during the winter of 2006-07. The first documented case in Ohio was in 2011.
Park staff made the local discovery following a weekly survey of the area in mid-January. Biologists found a dead little brown bat outside one of the park’s off-...
Source: Ohio Metro Parks - Summit County
North American bat death toll exceeds 5.5 million from white-nose syndrome
posted January 17, 2012
On the verge of another season of winter hibernating bat surveys, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and partners estimate that at least 5.7 million to 6.7 million bats have now died from white-nose syndrome (WNS). Biologists expect the disease to continue to spread. WNS is decimating bat populations across eastern North America, with mortality rates reaching up to 100 percent at many sites. First documented in New York in 2006, the disease has spread quickly into 16 states and four Canadian provinces. In response, the Service has been leading an extensive network of partners in...
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
USGS National Wildlife Health Center releases new WNS submission guidelines for researchers
posted December 5, 2011
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center today released sample submission guidelines for use by researchers when surveying bat hibernacula or evaluating unusual bat morbidity or mortality during the winter 2011-2012.
Watch your step! We are still under construction...
posted November 10, 2011
Welcome to the new whitenosesyndrome.org site!
Over the next few weeks we will be working with our partners to be sure we have the most up-to-date information about white-nose syndrome and bats available to you.
In the mean time, please excuse our "mess" as we work on creating the ost comprehensive source of WNS resources we can.
Thanks,
Ann Froschauer
National White-Nose Syndrome Communications Leader
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Culprit Identified: Fungus Causes Deadly Bat Disease
posted October 26, 2011
The appropriately named fungus Geomyces destructans is the cause of deadly white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, according to research published today in the journal Nature.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces 2012 Request for Proposals for WNS research
posted October 21, 2011
This opportunity is open to all State and Federal agency personnel, as well as non-governmental organizations, university, and private researchers. We anticipate that up to $1 million will be available for high priority research projects through this request for proposal (RFP) process. The announcement will be open for 45 days, with proposals due 4 December 2011.
Please visit www.grants.gov for the official notice, found under opportunity # FWS-R5-ES-12-001. Before submitting a proposal for WNS funds, please carefully review all the information and instructions in this RFP.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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