Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats detected in South Dakota for the first time [multiagency news release]

Publication Type:

Unpublished

Authors:

National Park Service; U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; University of Wyoming

Source:

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/), p.2 (2018)

Call Number:

U18NPS01IDUS

Other Number:

Release date: May 31, 2018

URL:

https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/news/fungus-causes-white-nose-syndrome-bats-detected-south-dakota-first-time-0

Keywords:

Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis ciliolabrum, Pd, South Dakota, Western Small-footed Myotis, white-nose syndrome, WNS

Abstract:

A fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a deadly disease of bats, has been detected on bats in South Dakota for the first time. The fungus was detected on one western small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum) and four big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Jackson County at Badlands National Park on May 10, 2018, during proactive WNS testing conducted by the National Park Service Northern Great Plains Network in collaboration with the University of Wyoming. This is also the first known detection of the fungus on a western small-footed bat. Current evidence indicates that WNS is not a direct health risk for humans or pets. The news release also summarizes the importance of bats to healthy ecosystems and the U.S. agriculture economy, how presence of the fungus was detected in South Dakota, how agencies are responding to the situation, and how others can help to prevent further spread of the fungus and the disease it causes. Web URLs are also included to provide additional information and resources.