http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/ The latest news about White Nose Syndrome. en-us 720 Copyright National Wildlife Health Center Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:36:45 -0500 karen_cunningham@usgs.gov tbeighley@usgs.gov http://www.addisonindependent.com/node/1376 Between 80 and 90 other scientists, wildlife specialists and conservationists in Albany, N.Y., last week to discuss the mysterious syndrome behind these die-offs, which have escalated from just two incidents in caves in New York a year ago to documented mortalities at caves and mines in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, with suspected sites in Pennsylvania. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#14 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--batdie-off0611jun11,0,358923.story Researchers, cavers and others interested in bats traveled to Albany from across the U.S. and Canada for a three-day brainstorming session on the mysterious, mass die-off of bats in the Northeast. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#13 http://www.madison.com/tct/news/286175 Report about how bats are being tested at NWHC to figure out the reasons for the deaths Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#12 http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/may/10/0510_bats/ Interview with David Blehert and Ward Stone about what's known so far about the bat die-offs. Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#11 http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_9155954?source=most_viewed Mosquito season is arriving after a disastrous winter for bats, a natural predator to the disease-carrying pests, but officials say they don't expect the reduction in bat population to create a noticeable increase in mosquitoes. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#9 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90231964 Jim Metzner has been training scientists to make audio recordings of their field research. Biologists from New York's Ulster County go underground as they try to work out what is killing the region's bats. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#10 http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200804290665 April 30, 2008Pendleton bats sent to lab were not found dead, DNR saysTwo bats from a Pendleton County cave now being examined by a wildlife disease laboratory in Wisconsin were bearing a small amount of what appeared to be a white fungus, but did not appear to be exhibiting symptoms of white-nose syndrome - a disease that has killed tens of thousands of hibernating bats in the northeast.By Rick SteelhammerStaff writerTwo bats from a Pendleton County cave now being examined by a wildlife disease laboratory in Wisconsin were bearing a small amount of what appeared to be a white fungus, but did not appear to be exhibiting symptoms of white-nose syndrome - a disease that has killed tens of thousands of hibernating bats in the northeast.The bats were collected at Trout Cave in early April.No dead bats were found at the cave, as previously reported, but two live bats had a very small amount of what appeared to be a fungus on them - one on the ear and the other on its wrist, according to Craig Stihler, the Division of Natural Resources' endangered species coordinator. "We debated as to whether or not we should collect these bats, but decided we needed to have them looked at by one of the labs working on white-nose syndrome," Stihler said. After being euthanized, "they were sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin."While the bats had little fat remaining on their bodies, that condition is not unusual for bats at the end of their hibernation period. The weights of the bats were within the range normally observed at this time of year."Unfortunately, no one knows the cause of white-nose syndrome, so the lab can't test for it, but they are going to examine the bats further," Stihler said."I would be very concerned if we found a number of dead bats at the cave, but we did not find any dead bats. We did find a couple bats with a small amount of what appeared to be a fungus, but it did not look like white nose and it may be normal for bats hibernating in a moist cave to occasionally get fungus on them. Before this problem arose, we didn't examine bats closely during our surveys and would not have noticed a small amount of fungus."White-nose syndrome has decimated hibernating bat colonies in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and it is suspected of having spread to caves in Pennsylvania, including areas near the West Virginia border. Winter surveys have shown that in eight of the affected New York caves, mortality ranged from 80 percent to 100 percent since the syndrome was documented at each site.While it can't be said for a certainty that white-nose syndrome has not reached West Virginia, "so far, we have not seen anything in West Virginia that alarms me, and I hope it remains that way," Stihler said.To contact staff writer Rick Steelhammer use e-mail or call 348-5169. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#6 http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-04302008-1527015.html A mysterious fungus that might have killed tens of thousands of bats throughout the Northeast could have spread into Pennsylvania this month. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#7 http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/04/28/on_a_freefall_toward_extinction/ Bats have been dying by the thousands recently in the Northeastern United States. No one knows why, and it may be months, perhaps years, before the cause is determined. The perplexing bat affliction is called white-nose syndrome. Bat biologists have called it the "gravest threat to bats ever known." Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#8 http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_564698.html Concern that a mysterious disease responsible for killing thousands of bats in the Northeast has prompted state officials to close a popular Fayette County cave. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#5 http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200804185 Wildlife experts are trying to determine what's causing hibernating bats in the Northeast to die en masse. The condition has been dubbed 'white-nose syndrome,' after a white fungus seen on bats' noses -- but scientists aren't sure if the fungus is causing the deaths, or is just a symptom indicating the presence of some other disease. So far, white-nose syndrome has been identified in bat caves in New York, southwest Vermont, northwest Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Tens of thousands of bats have died. Little brown bats, Indiana bats, northern long-eared, eastern pipistrelle, small-footed and other bat species have all been affected.Some experts are likening the situation to that of the unexplained declines in honeybee populations due to 'colony collapse disorder.' Bat researchers are racing to explain the deaths -- and keep the disease from spreading -- but they're hampered by few clues and a lack of funds for the type of fast-paced interdisciplinary research needed. We'll talk with scientists studying the bat White Nose Syndrome. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.GuestsElizabeth BucklesAssistant Professor of PathologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthaca, New YorkThomas H. KunzProfessor of BiologyDirector, Center for Ecology and Conservation BiologyBoston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#2 http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/science/bal-md.bats14apr14,0,6591558.story Mysterious disease in Northeast could have effects in Md.A mysterious ailment, discovered in New York last year and spreading ever since, has killed thousands of bats in several Northeast states.Hoping to keep the phenomenon, dubbed white nose syndrome, from spreading to Maryland, wildlife officials here are taking no chances.They're asking everyone who explores caves to protect themselves - and any bats they encounter - by following new federal guidelines that recommend thoroughly washing any equipment they use in caves. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp#4