Question

The decline in the U.S. bat population has reached critical proportions. Since 2006, more than six million bats in 33 states have been killed by a fungus called white-nose syndrome. The shrinking number of bats has serious consequences, not only because bats eat insects that are harmful to trees and crops, but also because they eat mosquitoes, such as those that carry West Nile virus.

Answer 1

Significant historic bat declines over the last century were blamed on agricultural intensification, loss of habitat and roosts through development and exclusion from buildings. Today's main threats include land use practices, climate change, pollution, development and infrastructure, and human disturbance.

What is white-nose syndrome caused by?

White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats.

Can humans get white-nose syndrome?

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.

Is there a cure?

Not yet. Some promising interventions are being researched, such as naturally occurring bacteria that seem to limit the growth of the white-nose fungus. However, these treatments need to be carefully tested before widespread release in the environment, to make sure they'll actually be helpful, and not cause more stress to either bats or the ecosystems in which they live.

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