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 affecting multiple species of North American bats that is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. This video shows the proper procedure for collecting swabs of environmental surfaces and sediment at bat roosts. 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). Bats may carry rabies and should never be directly handled without appropriate safety precautions.