Fungus behind disease ravaging bat populations found in southeastern British Columbia

A fungus known to cause fatal disease in bats has arrived in British Columbia.

The fungus, which causes white nose syndromewas recently detected in bat guano in the Grand Forks area, the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship said in a news release Monday.

White-nose syndrome attacks bats by disrupting their hibernation and is responsible for ravaging bat populations across North America.

Its high mortality is responsible for listing three bat species in Canada as “endangered,” the department said.

The disease was first discovered in New York State in 2006 and has spread to 38 states and eight provinces. The disease first appeared in Saskatchewan last summer and in Alberta in January.

The province has been monitoring white nose syndrome since it was first detected on the West Coast of the United States in 2016.

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“The Department of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is working with multiple partners to implement enhanced disease surveillance, as well as to reduce threats to bat habitat,” the statement said. .

“Because bats eat a wide variety of insects and pests, they are essential to maintaining the balance of British Columbia’s ecosystems.

According to the ministry, the infectious fungus spreads mainly through direct contact between bats. It does not affect humans, but can be spread by human activity, the ministry added.

“Because there is currently no proven prevention or treatment for white-nose syndrome, the best approach to bat conservation is the reduction of other threats to support healthy and resilient bat populations in the face of this disease,” the ministry said.

“Scientists are working together to better understand bat behavior and habitat use in winter, when bats are most at risk from the fungus.”

The province is asking people who know of winter roost sites for bats to report them. It also asks people to report unusual bat behavior, such as flying during the day, or any dead bats they find.

People who find a sick or dead bat should never touch it with their hands, he added.

Reports can be made to Community Bat Program via its website.

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