Deadly White-nose Syndrome in Bats means DO NOT ENTER THE CAVES!
The Government of British Columbia recently issued a Press Release on the rapid increase of occurrence of White-nose Syndrome in Bats in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, this deadly disease has now been detected in caves and bat populations in Washington State. While it is unlawful to enter the sacred caves of the Le'eyqsun people, it is now doubly important that you do not venture into the caves on Valdes Island to save the bats!
What is White-nose Syndrome?
White nose syndrome (WNS) is a rapidly spreading disease that causes high levels of mortality in bat populations. It is caused by a fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans).
Bats infected with WNS develop a white fungus on their nose and wing membranes during the hibernation period, although this fungus may not always be obvious on infected bats. For more information on disease effects, please consult the Factsheets and highlighted websites on the right of this page.
Since the winter of 2006, WNS has killed huge numbers of bats in eastern North America but had not been detected in western North America. However, in March 2016 a single bat carrying the disease was found in Washington State; this is the first case west of the continental divide. It has not yet been detected in B.C. and we would like to keep it that way!
White nose syndrome (WNS) is a rapidly spreading disease that causes high levels of mortality in bat populations. It is caused by a fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans).
Bats infected with WNS develop a white fungus on their nose and wing membranes during the hibernation period, although this fungus may not always be obvious on infected bats. For more information on disease effects, please consult the Factsheets and highlighted websites on the right of this page.
Since the winter of 2006, WNS has killed huge numbers of bats in eastern North America but had not been detected in western North America. However, in March 2016 a single bat carrying the disease was found in Washington State; this is the first case west of the continental divide. It has not yet been detected in B.C. and we would like to keep it that way!
Do your part in stopping the spread of this disease!
You may accidentally pick up and transport this fatal fungus. Therefore, protocols have been developed for how to decontaminate clothing and equipment that have been used in high-risk environments such as caves and mines. Protocols are also in place for bat researchers.
You may accidentally pick up and transport this fatal fungus. Therefore, protocols have been developed for how to decontaminate clothing and equipment that have been used in high-risk environments such as caves and mines. Protocols are also in place for bat researchers.
