White-Nose Syndrome
Science Center Objects
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern across United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in 34 states and seven Canadian provinces (as of March 2020) have died from this devastating disease.
Bat population declines are expected to have substantial impacts on the environment and agriculture. Bats eat insects that damage crops and spread disease. Consumption of insects by bats saves farmers billions of dollars in pest control services annually.
White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats. Field signs of WNS can include excessive or unexplained mortality at a hibernaculum; visible white fungal growth on the muzzle or wings of live or freshly dead bats; abnormal daytime activity during winter months or movement toward hibernacula openings; and severe wing damage in bats that have recently emerged from hibernation. Infected bats experience a cascade of physiologic changes that result in weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and death. To determine conclusively if bats are affected by white-nose syndrome, scientists must examine a skin specimen to look for a characteristic microscopic pattern of skin erosion caused by P. destructans. Please see below for guidance on sample collection and submission for diagnostic services.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been a leading contributor to the interagency response to WNS since 2008 and continues to provide ongoing scientific support to these efforts by performing fundamental research on bat ecology, fungal biology, and WNS epidemiology and pathology.
More resources on white-nose syndrome:
- NWHC Bat White-Nose Syndrome/Pd Surveillance Submission Guidelines (Winter 2019 - 2020)
- Winter 2019/2020 Bat Submission Guidelines and Highlights from the 2018/2019 White-Nose Syndrome Surveillance Season
- A National Plan for Assisting States, Federal Agencies, and Tribes in Managing White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
- White-Nose Syndrome.org - A Coordinated Response to the Devastating Bat Disease
- White-nose syndrome occurrence map
- White-nose Syndrome Case Definitions
- Explorers for Bats video
- Battle for Bats video
White-nose syndrome surveillance training videos
White-Nose Syndrome Surveillance
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) assists State, Federal, and Tribal wildlife agencies nationwide with early detection of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), and addresses specific research priorities identified by partners in conjunction with the...
White-Nose Syndrome Occurrence Map
View current and archived maps of white-nose syndrome occurrence by county/district.
Collecting a bat skin biopsy for white-nose syndrome surveillance
This video demonstrates the proper procedure for collecting a skin biopsy from a bat when conducting white-nose syndrome surveillance. White-nose syndrome (WNS) (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome) is a highly fatal disease affecting multiple species of
Approved euthanasia methods for bats (Microchiroptera)
This video shows the proper procedure for performing cervical dislocation on a bat with clinical signs of white-nose syndrome to be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for evaluation. White-nose syndrome (WNS) (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome) is a
Collecting a skin swab for white-nose syndrome surveillance
This video shows the proper technique for collecting a skin swab from a bat that is either roosting in place or is manually restrained for white-nose syndrome surveillance. White-nose syndrome (WNS) (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome) is a highly fatal
Environmental Sampling for White-Nose Syndrome Surveillance
Environmental samples collected in or near bat roosting locations can be used to supplement samples collected from bats for surveillance for white-nose syndrome (WNS) (https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome). White-nose syndrome is a highly fatal disease
UV Screening for Bat White-Nose Syndrome Surveillance
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
Southeastern Bat with P. destructans Fungus
This southeastern bat (Myotis austroriparius) from Alabama shows signs of infection from the Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center later confirmed white-nose syndrome in this animal, marking the first time that WNS was found in a southeastern bat. As of June 2017, the species joins eight other
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A bat with White-nose syndrome.
A bat with White-nose syndrome hanging in a cave. Photo by USFWS.
A little brown bat displaying white nose syndrome.
A little brown bat displaying white nose syndrome. FWS photo.
Little Brown Bat with white-nose syndrome
The Effects of Geomyces Destructans Infection on Bat Wings
Back-lit photographs of wings of White-nose Syndrome (WNS)-positive little brown bats, one with subtle circular and irregular pale areas (arrows) indicating areas of fungal infection (A) and another bat (B) with areas of relatively normal tone and elasticity (black arrow), compared to a WNS affected area that looks like crumpled tissue paper with loss of elasticity,
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Examining the wing of a bat
Examining the wing of a bat. Montgomery County, TN. August 2012.
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Date published: October 23, 2019White-nose syndrome surveillance and research updates
Updates on white-nose syndrome surveillance and research from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Fall 2019.
Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center -
Date published: May 1, 2019Vaccination May Help Protect Bats from Deadly Disease
A new study shows that vaccination may reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats, marking a milestone in the international fight against one of the most destructive wildlife diseases in modern times.
Attribution: Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center -
Date published: January 16, 2018New Information on Bat Fungus Improves Detection of Deadly Disease
The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease of hibernating bats, spreads rapidly by way of bats, then establishes and persists in soil and on walls of underground hibernation sites, according to a study published today.
Attribution: Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center -
Date published: June 1, 2017Alabama Survey Finds First Southeastern Bat with White-Nose Syndrome
Biologists have confirmed white-nose syndrome in the southeastern bat, or Myotis austroriparius, for the first time. The species joins eight other hibernating bat species in North America that are afflicted with the deadly bat fungal disease.
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Date published: August 3, 2016
Deadly Bat Fungus in Washington State Likely Originated in Eastern U.S.
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Date published: March 31, 2016Bat with white-nose syndrome confirmed in Washington state
OLYMPIA, Wash. – White-nose syndrome (WNS) has been confirmed in a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) found near North Bend – the first recorded occurrence of this devastating bat disease in western North America. The presence of this disease was verified by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center
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Date published: January 5, 2015How Does White-Nose Syndrome Kill Bats?
For the first time, scientists have developed a detailed explanation of how white-nose syndrome (WNS) is killing millions of bats in North America, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Wisconsin. The scientists created a model for how the disease progresses from initial infection to death in bats during hibernation.
Attribution: Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center -
Date published: May 29, 2014Ultra-violet Light Works as Screening Tool for Bats with White-nose Syndrome.
Scientists working to understand the devastating bat disease known as white-nose syndrome (WNS) now have a new, non-lethal tool to identify bats with WNS lesions —ultraviolet, or UV, light.
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Date published: November 19, 2012
White-Nose Syndrome Bat Recovery May Present Challenges Similar to Those in Some Recovering AIDS Patients
Bats recovering from white-nose syndrome show evidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), according to a hypothesis proposed by the U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators at National Institutes of Health. This condition was first described in HIV-AIDS patients and, if proven in bats surviving WNS, would be the first natural occurrence of IRIS ever observed.
Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center -
Date published: October 22, 2012
Science Working to Combat Deadly White Nose Syndrome in Bats
New findings on white-nose syndrome are bringing scientists closer to slowing the spread of this deadly bat disease, according to recent and ongoing studies by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Attribution: National Wildlife Health Center
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What species of bats are affected by White-nose Syndrome?
White-nose Syndrome mostly affects hibernating bats. More than half of the 47 bat species living in the United States and Canada hibernate to survive the winter. Thirteen bat species, including two endangered species and one threatened species, have been confirmed with white-nose syndrome in North America. The causative fungus, Pseudogymnoascus... -
What should cavers know and do in regard to White-nose Syndrome?
In response to White-nose Syndrome (WNS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and individual states request that cavers observe all cave closures and advisories, and avoid caves, mines or passages containing hibernating bats to minimize disturbance to them. The Service asks that cavers and cave visitors stay out of all caves in the affected states... -
What should I do if I find dead or dying bats, or if I observe bats with signs of White-nose Syndrome?
If you find a dead or dying bat: Contact your state wildlife agency, file an electronic report in those states that offer this service, e-mail U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists in your area, or contact your nearest Fish and Wildlife Service field office to report your potential White-nose Syndrome (WNS) observations. It is important to... -
What is White-nose Syndrome?
White-nose syndrome is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in at least 33 states and seven Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus,... -
Does White-nose Syndrome pose a risk to human health?
Thousands of people have visited affected caves and mines since White-nose Syndrome (WNS) was first observed, and there have been no reported human illnesses attributable to WNS. We are still learning about WNS, but we know of no risk to humans from contact with WNS-affected bats. However, we urge taking precautions and not exposing yourself to...