White-Nose Syndrome
Science Center Objects
Since the winter of 2006-07, millions of North American bats have died from white-nose syndrome (WNS). As of June 2019, bats with WNS have been confirmed in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces.
White-nose syndrome gets its name from the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which infects the skin on the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats and was discovered by USGS scientists.
USGS scientists have developed novel tools and techniques for national WNS detection, surveillance (UV light) and research efforts. Our scientists are monitoring bat populations (NABat) and hibernating bat behavior in addition to assessing the impact of WNS on bat populations. USGS is now focusing on disease management strategies to reverse bat declines from WNS (oral vaccine, modification of bat hibernation sites, investigations of the bat skin microbiome).
CURRENT RESEARCH
National Wildlife Health Center
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center assists State and Federal 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 National Plan.
Collaboration between USGS disease specialists and bat ecologists is helping bridge gaps in understanding that allow us to rapidly make progress in better addressing this unprecedented disease.
- Ecological Investigations of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
- External Microbiota of Bats as Potential Bio-control Against Wildlife Diseases
- White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America
- Surveillance for the Presence of White-Nose Syndrome in the Bat Community at El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
- Non-invasive Surveillance of Bat Hibernacula to Investigate Potential Behavioral Causes of Mortality Associated with White Nose Syndrome
- WNS Data Management Coordination
- North American Bat Data Integration
- North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
- Bat Species of Concern: An Ecological Synthesis for Resource Managers
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
From mummified carcasses and skeletons, it is known that Hawaiian hoary bats enter and use caves in Hawai‘i although this is unusual in populations on continental North America. Investigations included the use of acoustic monitoring and visual surveys.
Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center
To adequately model Indiana bat populations a panel of species experts and endangered species biologists were gathered to identify key demographic characteristics determining the population dynamics of this species. The development of this model occurred in four steps or stages.
- Population Demographic Models for the Conservation of Endangered Indiana Bats at Risk to White-Nose Syndrome
- Infection by White-nose Syndrome is likely to Extirpate the Endangered Indiana Bat over major portions of its current range
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
The primary goal of this bat research program is to develop projects that increase our understanding of basic ecology and natural history of western bat species, while simultaneously providing needed data to inform conservation measures and management decisions in the West.
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Date published: July 10, 2017Long-term video surveillance and automated analyses of hibernating bats in Virginia and Indiana, winters 2011-2014
This data release includes video files and image-processing results used to conduct the analyses of hibernation patterns in groups of bats reported by Hayman et al. (2017), "Long-term video surveillance and automated analyses reveal arousal patterns in groups of hibernating bats.”
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
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Date published: August 30, 2019White-Nose Syndrome Occurrence Map
View current and archived maps of white-nose syndrome occurrence by county/district.
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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 -
Date published: August 1, 2017
Deadly Fungus Affecting Hibernating Bats Could Spread During Summer
The cold-loving fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd) that causes white-nose syndrome, a disease that has killed millions of North American bats during hibernation, could also spread in summer months. Bats and humans visiting contaminated caves and mines can inadvertently contribute to the spread of the fungus, according to a recently published study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Date published: July 5, 2017Hot new imagery of wintering bats suggests a group behavior for battling white-nose syndrome
Hot new imagery from temperature-sensing cameras suggests that bats who warm up from hibernation together throughout the winter may be better at surviving white nose syndrome, a disease caused by a cold-loving fungus ravaging insect-eating bat populations in the United States and Canada.
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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: January 17, 2017A Deadly Double Punch: Together, Turbines and Disease Jeopardize Endangered Bats
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Date published: August 3, 2016Deadly 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 19, 2016
Decades of Bat Observations Reveal Uptick in New Causes of Mass Mortality
FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Reports of bat deaths worldwide due to human causes largely unique to the 21st century are markedly rising, according to a new USGS-led analysis published in Mammal Review.
Attribution: Ecosystems, Energy and Minerals -
Date published: September 28, 2015
Declines and Slow Recovery in Little Brown Bat Populations Predicted
Populations of bats diminished by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease of hibernating bats, are unlikely to return to healthy levels in the near future, according to new U.S. Geological Survey research.
Attribution: Ecosystems, National Wildlife Health Center