Arizona bats test positive for possibly deadly fungus; wildlife agency seeks public's help
Bats in southeastern Arizona have tested positive for a fungus that poses a threat to the species, prompting wildlife officials to urge the public to report any potential infections.
A bat that was part of the cave myotis species in Fort Huachuca, just west of Sierra Vista, tested positive for a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) that can cause deadly white-nose syndrome (WNS), according to the Arizona Department of Game and Fish.
The positive sample was collected during a June 2024 surveillance when Game and Fish identified a bat with abnormal wing features linked to the disease. The agency later discovered four additional bats, including two from other species, that tested positive for trace amounts of the fungus.
Debbie Brewer, a Game and Fish biologist for the Fort Huachuca area, said monitoring for the Pd has existed in the area since 2014, with positive infections found in 2017, followed by low-level spread in 2021 and 2023.
"Though not unexpected, our 2024 high-level positive detection in cave myotis is highly concerning and should put other land managers in the Southwest on alert that habitat protections for this and other species of bat are warranted," wrote Brewer in a news release.
With the help of citizen scientists: An endangered bat species has been found in Arizona
Pd, which causes white-nose syndrome, is named after the white fungal growth seen on infected bats. Since 2006, the disease has led to the deaths of millions of bats across 40 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces, according to Game and Fish.
White-nose syndrome does not pose a risk to humans or pets, but human activity is a major concern for bringing fungal spores into cold, humid caves where bats hibernate, and where optimal growing conditions exist for the fungus.
'This disease did not exist when I first began working with bats. To see new threats to our bat populations like this is disturbing," said Angie McIntire, a specialist on Arizona bats for Game and Fish.
A bat infected with WNS may display unusual behavior, which Game and Fish said usually appears like the bat is unable to fly or is perched low on a wall or is on the ground.
The wildlife agency asks the public to help monitor for the disease by reporting any possible cases by email to bats@azgfd.gov, sending a detailed report of the encounter, photos, location and contact information, but also reminds the public to never handle bats.
Game and Fish said since 2019, the fungus has been found in Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai and Cochise counties, and at Grand Canyon National Park. Between 2021 and 2024, a total of eight bats, including cave myotis, southwestern myotis and big brown bats, tested positive for the fungus.
Infections within the cave myotis bat species also have been found nearby in New Mexico and Texas, highlighting to researchers a possible vulnerability among the species for WNS.
Bat season in Arizona: What attracts them and are they dangerous?
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bats in southern Arizona test positive for fungus deadly to species
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Salami Recalled in Canada Due to Salmonella Outbreak—Here's What to Know
A salami recall in Canada, due to Salmonella, was just announced. The recall impacts Bona and Rea branded salami sold in three provinces. There are illnesses connected to this recall—contact a doctor if symptoms an active recall on three types of salami sold in multiple Canadian provinces, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This is due to a Salmonella contamination. The following are the brands and types of salami impacted by this recall. Note the UPC and additional codes printed on the affected products, though the recalled salami may have been sold at deli counters without the coded packaging: Brand Product UPC Codes Bona Mild Genova Salami N/A 5035 226 Rea Genoa Salami Sweet 8 41571 04226 2 5035 226; 5049 226 Rea Genoa Salami Hot 8 41571 04228 6 5020 228; 5035 228 The affected salami was sold in variable sizes at deli counters and grocery locations in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Check your deli meat for the recall information or call your place of purchase to see if it matches the recall information. If so, dispose of it immediately. There are reported illnesses connected to this recall. Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) can cause short-term symptoms of foodborne illness like diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. If you are showing signs of salmonellosis after eating the recalled salami, contact a health care professional as soon as possible. For questions about this recall, contact the CFIA's toll-free number at 1-800-442-2342 or email information@ Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
SRx Health Solutions Announces Management and Board Changes
TAMPA, Fla., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SRx Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE American: SRXH) (the 'Company'), a leading global health and wellness company, today announced the following management team and Board of Directors changes. Lionel Conacher, current Board member, has been appointed as Chairman of the Board, Adesh Vora, current Executive Chairman, will remain on Board and be appointed Chief Executive Officer, Kent Cunningham, current Chief Executive Officer, will assume role as President, and Nina Martinez has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Adesh Vora, Chief Executive Officer of SRx Health Solutions, stated, 'We are grateful to our Board and senior management for their efforts in strengthening our team structure and enhancing corporate governance. These improvements align with our renewed vision for SRx Health's long-term strategic growth. Looking ahead, our core focus will be on supporting patients managing chronic and rare diseases, infusion services, clinical trials, and patient support programs to make healthcare simpler for our customers. At the same time, we will continue to build on our values—partnering with patients, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and prescriber relations.' About SRx Health Solutions, Inc. SRx Health Solutions Inc. is an integrated Canadian healthcare services provider that operates within the specialty healthcare industry. The SRx network extends across all ten Canadian provinces, making it one of the most accessible providers of comprehensive, integrated, and customized specialty healthcare services in the country. SRx combines years of industry knowledge, technology, and patient-centric focus to create strategies and solutions that consistently exceed client expectations and drive critical patient care initiatives aimed to improve the wellness of Canadians. For more information on SRx Health Solutions Inc., please visit Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'could,' 'target,' 'potential,' 'is likely,' 'will,' 'expect' and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Company Contact:SRx Health Solutions, A. Vora, Chief Executive Officer Investor Contact:KCSA Strategic CommunicationsValter Pinto, Managing DirectorT: 212-896-1254Valter@
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Soldiers from N.B. serving near Russia return home to increased defence spending
Another six-month rotation of Canadian soldiers in Latvia is coming to an end, and two soldiers from New Brunswick will be among the troops coming home to the news that Canada is increasing and accelerating investments in defence. Lt.-Col. Jacques Pinard and Chief Warrant Officer Jean Sebastien Morin have both been serving among the 2,000 Canadian troops stationed in Latvia, where they're defending the eastern flank of NATO. Based at Camp Adazi, about an hour's drive from the Russian border, they're tasked with protecting a population that lives in a state of vigilance. "There are cameras on every corner," Pinard said. "You can't go anywhere in Latvia without being recorded. And it's accepted by the Latvian public that this is just a thing that's there to provide safety for everyone." The war between Ukraine and Russia is never far from their thoughts, he said. "For instance, drones that are flying around, those are taken very seriously if they haven't been approved prior to having them up in the air, so that is very tightly controlled," Pinard said. On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged an extra $9 billion this fiscal year to strengthen existing and emerging military capabilities. That includes money to accelerate recruitment. The goal is to bring the Canadian Armed Forces to 71,500 regular and 30,000 primary reserve members by 2030. That's an increase of 13,000 members. Military personnel will also get pay raises. Some new hires may find themselves in Latvia, where Canada's commitment has no end date. The first 100 Canadian soldiers arrived there in 2017, and now Canada leads an international brigade, supported by 14 countries, including NATO's newest member, Sweden. Less than a year after joining NATO, Sweden sent hundreds of troops to join the battle group in February. Soldiers focused on improving health care Providing health care on site is part of Canada's growing responsibility in Latvia. A multidisciplinary health-care team that includes doctors, nurses, a dental team, social workers, physiotherapists and a pharmacy, is expected to expand. "We're definitely looking after a much larger group of individuals from different nations," Morin said in his role as the regimental sergeant major for the multinational medical units. He said Canada is also working to increase its ability to provide medical care to soldiers in the field. "The medical capacity we're trying to build is, well, I would put it as bringing health care as far forward as possible in the battle space," he said. "We will definitely bring everything to where it needs to be and strategically placed so we can ensure the personnel who are injured have the best chance of survival." The Canadians have been leading various military practice exercises, including a simulated response to mass casualty events. New investment good for morale Canada's new spending is sure to benefit all Canadian military bases and boost troop morale, said Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada. "The prime minister's announcement specifically mentions armoured vehicle and artillery pieces, both of which the Canadian Armed Forces are desperately short on, and are in high demand at [CFB] Gagetown," Leuprecht said from Riga, Latvia, where he's attending a NATO conference on strategic communications. Meanwhile, as long as conflict prevails in Ukraine, Leuprecht said, it's less likely that Russia will have the capacity to focus its aggression elsewhere. That could change quickly, however, if the fighting stops, he said. "If [Putin] sets his sights on a country, chances are it's going to be one of the three smallest countries in the alliance, that being Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania," Leuprecht said. "And Latvia is the country that has the largest Russian-speaking minority and the direct border. So it has always been a very high risk place." It will take several flights over the next few weeks to repatriate Canadian soldiers who are winding up their deployment. Pinard said he'll be returning to New Brunswick to move his family from CFB Gagetown to Edmonton. Morin said he hopes to visit family in northern New Brunswick. Neither could be reached for comment on the new spending announcement. A media relations officer at the Department of National Defence was unable to say how the pledge to bring defence spending up to the NATO target of two per cent of Canada's gross domestic product will impact the mission in Latvia, called Operation Reassurance. It is Canada's largest current international military operation.
