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UV Screening for Bat White-Nose Syndrome Surveillance

Video Transcript
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Detailed Description

Long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light can be used to detect orange fluorescence associated with white-nose syndrome (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome-surveillance) on bat skin. White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a highly fatal disease affecting multiple species of North American bats that is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. While UV screening does not definitively diagnose white-nose syndrome in bats, it can be used to guide further sampling for white-nose syndrome surveillance. More information on white-nose syndrome surveillance is available from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome-surveillance). This video shows the proper technique for safely screening bats for white-nose syndrome with a hand-held UV light source and is intended to be performed by an authorized wildlife professional only. Bats may carry rabies and should never be directly handled without appropriate safety precautions.

Details

Length:
00:02:54

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

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