What Is: White-Nose Syndrome?

White-nose syndrome (named for the white fungus which surrounds the muzzle of most infected bats) is a very under recognized epidemic effecting millions of bats in North America. White-nose syndrome (WNS) was first discovered in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, during the winter of 2006. During that winter alone is was estimated to have eradicated almost half of the entire hibernating bat population, and over 5.7 million bats have since fallen victim to the disease. The disease stems from "cold loving" white fungus found in caves of the affected regions, the fungus creates a white covering around the face of effected bats and causes them to deplete their fat reserves months before their normal springtime emergence from hibernation, in turn the bats often prematurely awaken from hibernation and either freeze or starve to death. In many caves infected with WNS bat mortality rate ranges from 90-100%, almost completely wiping out entire populations. Needless to say White-nose syndrome is a horrible disease which is very rapidly leading to the deaths of various bat species and rapidly spreading across the continent. Unfortunately, despite the attempts of many researchers there is no known cure or even treatment for WNS.

A small brown bat infected with white-nose syndrome.

Citations: 
Tuttle, Merlin D. "White-nose Syndrome." White-nose Syndrome. N.p., 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.batcon.org/index.php/what-we-do/white-nose-syndrome.html>.

 Department of Environmental Conservation. "White-nose Syndrome." - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/45088.html>.