White-nose syndrome, an often-fatal disease of hibernating bats, continues to spread in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and research partners documented white-nose syndrome and the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in eleven new counties in 2024, according to a news release from WDFW.
Scientists with WDFW have been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Health, bat rehabilitators, private landowners and other non-government organizations on surveys and research, which helped to uncover new detections of white-nose syndrome and the fungus that causes it.
“The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was detected in Clallam, Clark, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Kitsap, Klickitat, Okanogan and Whatcom counties for the first time in 2024,” said Abby Tobin, bat species lead for WDFW. “In addition, white-nose syndrome was confirmed in Benton and Thurston counties for the first time this year. WDFW and partners continue our measures to survey for and respond to white-nose syndrome in Washington, including testing emerging disease treatments.”
White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungus pseudogymnoascus destructans, which attacks the skin of hibernating bats and damages their wings, making it difficult for them to fly. Infected bats often leave hibernation too early, which causes them to deplete their fat reserves and become dehydrated or starve to death. White-nose syndrome has caused vulnerable bat populations to decline in many parts of North America. While the syndrome is often fatal to bats, it does not affect humans, livestock or other wildlife.
Bat rehabilitators confirmed the first case of white-nose syndrome in the western U.S. in King County in 2016. Since then, WDFW has confirmed over 280 cases of the disease and fungus in the state.
To date, WDFW has confirmed white-nose syndrome in nine Washington counties. The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been detected in 21 counties. Researchers have confirmed four Washington bat species with white-nose syndrome, with four additional species carrying the fungus but not yet detected with the disease. A map of fungus and white-nose syndrome detections in Washington is available on WDFW’s white-nose syndrome webpage at wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/bat-white-nose.
WDFW urges people to not handle wildlife, especially dead wildlife or animals that appear sick. If someone finds sick or dead bats or notices bats acting strangely, they can report it on the WDFW website or call 360-902-2515. Bats flying or roosting outside during the winter is an example of noteworthy behavior that can be associated with white-nose syndrome, but not always.
Even though the fungus primarily spreads from contact between bats, humans can unintentionally spread it as well. People can carry fungal spores on clothing, shoes or recreation equipment that touches the fungus. To learn more and to get the most up-to-date decontamination protocols and guidance on limiting the spread of white-nose syndrome, visit whitenosesyndrome.org.
