Latest news with #Pseudogymnoascusdestructans
LeMonde
11 hours ago
- Health
- LeMonde
The mystery of white-nose syndrome, which is killing US bats, is beginning to unravel
One of the last mysteries of "white-nose syndrome," which has been decimating bats in the United States since the winter of 2006-2007, has been solved. A European team, whose study was published in the May 28 issue of the journal Nature, has discovered that the fungus responsible for this epidemic was a double agent from Ukraine. Let's go back to that American winter. Thousands of bats were dying during hibernation in caves in the northeastern United States. Their snouts and wings were covered with a powdery white mold. This was just the beginning of white-nose syndrome, which "caused one of the highest disease-driven death tolls documented in nonhuman mammals," explained the study. Colonies were decimated and some bat species were even threatened with extinction. The mass die-off triggered a chain reaction. A study published in Science in September found that, in response to the collapse of these insect-eating populations, farmers in affected counties used more insecticides, which in turn led to a rise in infant mortality over several years. The culprit was quickly identified: Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungus found in Europe and Asia. Adapted to life in darkness, it feeds on the skin of bats.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Fungus deadly to bats found in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, crosses Continental Divide
A deadly fungal disease impacting bat populations has now been detected west of the Continental Divide in Colorado for the first time, raising concerns among wildlife officials. While Colorado has already identified White Nose Syndrome in Colorado in different parts of the state, the detection of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans in bat guano at the Holzwarth Historic Site on the west side of the Rocky Mountain National Park adds to the growing concern for bat populations. "It means that the fungus is continuing to spread throughout Colorado," Michelle Verant Wildlife Veterinarian with the National Parks Service, explained. "All previous cases in the state were on the eastern part... this is the first detection of the fungus West of the Continental Divide in Grand County, Colorado." National Park Service White-Nose Syndrome thrives in the cold temperatures where bats hibernate. The fungus grows on their skin, particularly their wings and face, causing damage that often leads to death before the bats can emerge from hibernation in the spring. Verant explained that bats play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, eating insects by the thousands each night, helping to control pests like mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and crickets – some of which are significant agricultural threats. According to a study, the economic impact of bats is also significant. Studies estimate that bats provide $3 billion to $22 billion each year in pest control services to North American farmers. While WNS has caused massive population collapses on the east coast, to the tune of 90% in some cases, according to Verant, Colorado has yet to see that kind of devastation. That doesn't mean scientists are not actively monitoring Colorado bats for a crisis just like that, now that Pd is in the state. A small glimmer of hope comes from the idea that western bat species may have natural defenses against the spread of the fungus. "Western bats tend to hibernate in more dispersed locations like rocky outcrops and crevices, unlike the large colonies found in eastern caves and mines," said Verant. This difference in hibernation habits could potentially slow the spread of the fungus, as fewer bats are bumping into each other, with a chance to spread WNS. However, Verant cautions that in many cases, once the fungus arrives, severe disease and death follow within a few years. Since Colorado is home to multiple bat species, each with unique behaviors, Verant said understanding how the disease affects each species is critical. Those differences could also lead to an unexpected defense. In the meantime, humanity is still working to create a solution to stop the spread of the fungus, with researchers focusing efforts on developing tools to help bats survive the disease, including antifungal compounds, environmental sprays, and even a vaccine that can boost bat immune systems. "It's really depressing to see such a dramatic loss of these fascinating and valuable creatures," Verant said. "It will be important to continue monitoring this colony to understand if and when bats develop disease and suffer impacts from that." If you find a dead or injured bat, do not handle it. Please report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-291-7771 or email
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive, deadly fungus affecting bats found in Rocky Mountain National Park
DENVER (KDVR) — An invasive fungus has been detected in bats at Rocky Mountain National Park. In a Thursday press release from the national park, tests done by the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd, has been detected in bats in the Holzwarth Historic Site on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. According to the park, this is the first confirmed detection of the fungus in Grand County. Pd is described as an invasive fungus that causes white-nose syndrome — a deadly and infectious disease that impacts bats. 'Any new detection of Pd is worrisome because bats are vital for healthy ecosystems. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to nine known species of bats, five of which have been found living in areas above 11,000 feet,' said Rocky Mountain National Park in a press release. How much snow will fall in the high country this weekend? While white-nose syndrome does not pose a risk to humans, people can spread the disease. Following the detection, Rocky Mountain National Park has provided protection tips to visitors. The park asks people to report dead or injured bats to park personnel. The park also said people should never touch a bat, because they could carry other dangerous diseases aside from white-nose syndrome. If you do visit a cave or bat habitat, Rocky Mountain National Park recommends you properly decontaminate gear and outerwear. The national park said white-nose syndrome was first confirmed in 2022 in southeastern Colorado, it has also been confirmed in Larimer County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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@ 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@ 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
