White-nose Syndrome, a disease of hibernating bats, is spreading rapidly across eastern North America and as of March 2010 was confirmed in Ontario and Quebec. Bat populations are being devastated as over 90% mortality occurs in most affected caves and mines. To date, over a million dead bats have been associated with this fungal disease since it was first discovered in a single cave in New York in 2006. Already, some bat species have nearly disappeared from New York state.

The newly-described fungus now has a name - Geomyces destructans, but recently this same fungus was found in various European countries and may explain the limited biodiversity of bats in Europe. It seems likely that the fungus was transferred to North America inadvertently by humans. While bat-to-bat transmission appears to be the main mode of spread in eastern North America, potential further transfer by humans researching bats or going underground is possible. This has led to some eastern cave closures, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service recommending decontamination of all caving and bat research gear.

ALL EQUIPMENT USED UNDERGROUND IN EASTERN CAVES AND MINES OR IN CONTACT WITH BATS IN EASTERN N. AMERICA MUST NOT BE USED IN WESTERN N. AMERICA where WNS is not yet known to occur. Similar precautions should be taken with equipment used in Europe.

What can you do to help?

There are currently only two tools in the WNS tool box: Prevention and Decontamination.

If white powder is observed on bats, please decontaminate your equipment, leave the affected location, and contact the local wildlife agency as soon as possible.

If dead bats are found, please do the following:

1. If possible, photograph the scene, and the bats.
2. Record time, date, and GPS or exact location.
3. If covered in obvious white powdery fungus, or there are multiple dead bats (? 5) in one location, please do the following:
1. Using GLOVES (do not use bare hands, as there is always a risk of rabies transmission from bats when the cause of death is unknown), place each dead bat into its own ziploc bag. Disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves are ideal. If not available, place double plastic bags over your hand, grasp the bat, and pull it into the bag while turning the bag inside out. Place the bagged bat into the ziploc bag.
2. Label each bag with date, location (including nearest town/city), collector name and phone number. Place in cool storage.
3. Throw away gloves, or if not disposable, decontaminate gloves using hot water wash or a 10% bleach solution.
4. Contact the local biologist.

Learning More and Staying Up to Date:

Research is ongoing, and new guidelines are likely to become available for anyone going underground. For up to date information, please visit the following links:

1. US Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Main WNS website
2. US Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast
   Further information including protocols and wing damage index can be accessed in the research section pages.
3. US Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast
   Procedures and decontamination for recreationists, cavers, people entering mines/cave.
4. Bat Conservation and Management.
5. National Speleological Society.
6. US Geological Survey (USGS) - Main WNS site.
7. US Geological Survey (USGS) - Submitting WNS samples.
8. US Geological Survey (USGS) - National Wildlife Health Center.
   
9. Bat Conservation International.

This information section provided courtesy of Alberta Bat Action Team and B.C. Bat Action Team.