White Nose Syndrome

Description: This project includes observations about sightings or symptoms of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Alaskan bats. WNS is currently in Eastern Canada, Northeastern U.S., Midwest, Washington State and the Yukon Territory.

Situation Awareness: According to an article in Alaska Dispatch News (2016-05-17), White-nose syndrome, a fungus-related disease that has spread westward after wiping out millions of bats in the U.S. Northeast and in eastern Canada, is now in Washington state – and could jump to Alaska. Up to now, the westernmost documentation of the disease was in the Midwest, meaning it has made a 1,300-mile leap across the continent, said Karen Blejwas, a wildlife biologist and bat specialist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. “It’s really unexpected, because this is by far the largest jump the disease has ever made since it was discovered in 2006,” she said. Blejwas said Fish and Game had already been working with other government agencies and organizations to try to prepare for the spread of the disease into Alaska. Now that work is accelerated," she said. Officials will be asking the public “to keep an eye out for bad bats on the landscape,” she said. Complete article at Discovery of bat disease in Washington state alarms Alaska bilogists

Project Range: Alaska

Project Lead: Karen Blejwas, Wildlife Biologist and Marian Snively, Wildlife Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)

Start date: April 5, 2016.

LEO Guidance: There is no evidence of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) spreading to Alaska yet (6-20-16). So this is a "Surveillance" project where we ask for LEO Network member help to watch for these emerging diseases and hopefully catch them early. LEO Network is looking for observations providing evidence of WNS in Alaska bat species. Here is how you can help: if you are observing bats, send us your observations and photos; we are particularly interested in bat health. If you see a bat flying out in the open during the day, it is probably unwell. If you find a dead or injured bat, avoid touching the animal with your bare hands - use rubber gloves, or turn a plastic baggie inside out before handling the bat. If the bat is dead, double bag it. Avoid freezing the bat if it is not smelly or in a state of decay, but keep it cool. Immediately contact Karen Blejwas (Southeast) or Marian Snively (rest of the state) to report the find. Published by Alaska Fish & Wildlife News, White-nose Syndrome in Bat Shocks Researchers with Arrival in Washington. By Abby Lowell. ADF&G. April 2016.

• Also see the Alaska Department of Fish & Game recommendations for handling sick/dead bats, which includes reporting forms and contact phone numbers.
• Note about bats and rabies: Rabies does occur in bats. If you see a dead or sick bat, refer to the State of Alaska Epidemiology's recommendations for handling them.

Resources:

USGS National Wildlife Health Center – Fact Sheet 2016-3084, White-nose syndrome in North American bats - U.S. Geological Survey updates, "White-nose syndrome is a devastating wildlife disease that has killed millions of hibernating bats. This disease first appeared in New York during 2007 and has continued to spread at an alarming rate from the northeastern to the central United States and throughout eastern Canada. The disease is named for the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which often appears white when it infects the skin of the nose, ears, and wings of hibernating bats. This fact sheet provides updates on white-nose syndrome research and management efforts and highlights US Geological Survey scientists’ contributions to understanding and combating this disease." By Emily W. Landau and Gail Moede Rogall, source: USGS Publications Warehouse

USGS National Wildlife Health Center – White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), "White-nose syndrome (WNS) 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 29 states and five Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats." Source: USGS

Media:

BBC NEWS, Science & Environment (2016-03-09) *Asian bats show resistance to deadly white-nose syndrome, by Matt McGrath, Environment correspondent writes, "Researchers have found new clues about the deadly white-nose syndrome, a disease that has wiped out millions of bats in North America. White nose syndrome (WNS) is the name given to the bat disease caused by exposure to the fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus thrives in the cold, damp caves frequented by bats. Recent research indicates that it most likely originated in Europe and was carried to North America by humans. Since the disease first appeared in the US in 2006, it has caused mass die-offs of bats, with an estimated six million dead so far."

CBC NEWS (2016-04-06) Yukon biologist watching for signs of disease deadly to bats, by Heather Avery writes, "A Yukon biologist will be keeping a close eye on bat populations this summer, after researchers say a devastating fungal disease has moved west and has been found in Seattle. White-nose syndrome is already wiping out bat colonies in eastern Canada and the U.S."

CBC NEWS (2016-10-08) Bat biologists in Yukon and B.C. brace for arrival of deadly white-nose syndrome – "Biologists on Canada's western coast are bracing for the arrival of a deadly disease called white-nose syndrome in British Columbia and Yukon's bats, but a number of mysteries mean the disease's impact is still unclear."

Alaska Dispatch News (2017-02-19) Bringing Alaska's bats out from the shadows, Author: Rick Sinnott writes, "White Nose Syndrome - The fungus is called white nose syndrome because it covers the nose and other parts of hibernating bats. Bats exhibiting white nose syndrome behave strangely, flying outside on cold winter days and clustering outside cave entrances."

Alaska Fish and Wildlife News – Bats in Alaska Volunteers needed to monitor bats, "With the help of almost 150 volunteers in half-dozen communities across Southeast Alaska, biologists have learned a great deal about Alaska’s bats in the past three years. They’ve documented the presence of species that were not known to be found in Alaska. They’re gaining a better understanding of habitats where bats are found, and their distribution.Biologists also want to know if people find sick or dead bats, especially in the spring. State wildlife biologist Tory Rhoads is focusing on bats and is organizing surveys in five Southeast communities in 2017 – with the help of volunteers." By Riley Woodford, Information Officer. Volunteer for a community driving survey. Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game. April 2016.

Alaska Fish and Wildlife News – ‘Swarming’ Behavior in Southeast Bats Could Reveal Key Information on Hibernation Habits: Bat researcher Karen Blejwas has documented a behavior in the small, winged mammals that will not only help her hone in on their hard-to-find winter roosts, but it will also provide valuable insights into habitat selection, hibernation timing, and emergence. It’s called swarming. It happens every fall, as the bats congregate around their roosting sites either as part of mating behavior or to teach young bats where to find a decent hibernation site. By Abby Lowell, January 2018. Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.