How does white-nose syndrome affect humans?

Thousands of people have visited affected caves and mines since White-nose Syndrome (WNS) was first observed, and there have been no reported human illnesses attributable to WNS. We are still learning about WNS, but we know of no risk to humans from contact with WNS-affected bats.

What does white-nose syndrome affect?

White-nose Syndrome mostly affects hibernating bats. More than half of the 47 bat species living in the United States and Canada hibernate to survive the winter. Twelve bat species, including two endangered species and one threatened species, have been confirmed with white-nose syndrome in North America.

How serious is white-nose syndrome?

White-nose syndrome is a serious threat to hibernating bats in North America. Since 2006, it has steadily spread south and west from New York State. Millions of bats, up to 100 percent of some populations, have died due to this fungal disease.

What is white-nose syndrome and how does it affect bats?

White-nose syndrome is the result of a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans that invades and ingests the skin of hibernating bats, including their wings. It causes bats to wake up more frequently during the winter, using up their limited fat reserves very rapidly.

Which change in behavior does white-nose syndrome cause?

The fungus attacks the bare skin of bats when they're hibernating and relatively inactive. As it grows, the fungus causes changes in bats that make them become unusually active and burn up fat they need to survive winter.

Can Pseudogymnoascus destructans infect humans?

Pseudogymnoascus pannorum is the nearest fungal relative of P. destructans with wider psychrophilic – physiological growth range, and ability to cause rare skin infections in humans.

What risk does WNS pose to human health?

Thousands of people have visited affected caves and mines since White-nose Syndrome (WNS) was first observed, and there have been no reported human illnesses attributable to WNS. We are still learning about WNS, but we know of no risk to humans from contact with WNS-affected bats.

How are bat populations doing?

Bat populations have been declining for decades but recent threats such as white-nose syndrome (WNS) and wind energy development have accelerated the declines in the U.S. At least 5.5 million bats have died from WNS since 2006, but it is difficult to document the extent of these declines and their impacts on …

Is white-nose syndrome contagious to humans?

Current evidence indicates that WNS is not transmissible from bats to humans. Studies have shown that the fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 degrees F) that are much lower than that of the human body. Also, no human infections have ever been documented after exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves.

What kills white-nose syndrome?

White-nose syndrome has devastated bat populations across much of North America, but researchers have found that applying probiotic bacteria can reduce the disease's impacts and help struggling populations survive. Combined with other treatments, they believe, it could be even more effective.