White-nose syndrome
in bats
Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1. What is white-nose syndrome?
Hibernating bats in the northeastern
United States are dying in record
numbers, and we do not know the cause
of the deaths. This wildlife health crisis,
white-nose syndrome, is named for the
white fungus evident on the muzzles
and wings of affected bats.
This affliction was first documented at
four sites in eastern New York in the
winter of 2006-07. Subsequently, we
saw photographs taken in February
2006 of apparently affected bats at an
additional site.
WNS has rapidly spread to multiple
sites throughout the northeast.
Researchers associate WNS with a
newly identified fungus (Geomyces
sp.) that thrives in the cold and humid
conditions characteristic of the caves
and mines used by bats. The fungus
could be responsible for the bat deaths,
or it could be secondary to the cause.
Bats affected with WNS do not always
have obvious fungal growth, but they
may display abnormal behavior within
and outside of their hibernacula (caves
and mines where bats hibernate during
the winter).
2. How is WNS is transmitted?
We believe that WNS is transmitted
primarily from bat to bat. There is a
strong possibility that it may also be
transmitted by humans inadvertently
carrying the causative agent from cave
to cave on their clothing and gear.
3. Where has WNS been observed?
Biologists and/or cavers have
documented WNS in bat hibernacula
in New Hampshire, Vermont, New
York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and
Virginia. We expect this list of states to
increase over time.
4. What are signs of WNS?
Bats may lose their fat reserves, which
they need to survive hibernation, long
before the winter is over. They often
leave their hibernacula during the
winter and die. As winter progresses,
we find increasing numbers of dead
bats in the affected locations.
WNS may be associated with some
or all of the following unusual bat
behavior:
n White fungus, especially on the bat’s
nose, but also on the wings, ears or
tail;
n Bats flying outside during the day in
temperatures at or below freezing;
n Bats clustered near the entrance of
hibernacula; and
n Dead or dying bats on the ground
or on buildings, trees or other
structures.
Hibernating bats may have other white
fungus not associated with WNS. If a
bat with fungus is not in an affected
area and has no other signs of WNS, it
may not have WNS.
5. What should you do if you find dead or
dying bats in winter or early spring, or if
you observe bats with signs of WNS?
n Contact your state wildlife agency,
file an electronic report in those
states that offer this service, e-mail
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
biologists at WhiteNoseBats@fws.
gov, or contact your nearest Service
field office (find locations at http://
www.fws.gov/northeast/offices.
html) to report your potential WNS
observations.
n It is important to determine the
species of bat in case it is a federally
protected species. Photograph the
potentially affected bats (including
close-up shots if possible) and send
the photograph and a report to your
contact (above).
n If you need to dispose of a dead bat
found on your property, pick it up
with a plastic bag over your hand or
use disposable gloves. Place both the
bat and the bag into another plastic
bag, spray with disinfectant, close the
bag securely, and dispose of it with
your garbage. Thoroughly wash your
hands and any clothing that comes
into contact with the bat. See a short
instructional video on our WNS Web
site.
n If you see a band on the wing or a
small device with an antenna on the
back of a bat (living or dead), contact
your state wildlife agency or your
nearest Service field office as these
are tools for biologists to identify
individual bats.
6. What species of bats are affected?
Tri-colored, little brown, northern
long-eared, big brown, small-footed and
Indiana bats have died from WNS. Big
brown bats are typically found in lower
numbers in the affected sites, and few
have been found with the signs of WNS.
7. What are the Service and other
federal and state agencies doing to find
the cause and a cure for WNS?
An extensive network of state
and federal agencies is working to
investigate the source, spread and