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Bat Fungus Arrives in Nevada: A Silent Threat
10 Dec
Summary
- Fungus linked to white-nose syndrome found in Nevada bats.
- No bats showed clinical signs of the disease during detection.
- The fungus poses a significant conservation risk to Nevada's bats.
A fungus linked to white-nose syndrome has been detected in bats within Nevada's Lake Mead National Recreation Area, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. This marks the first confirmed presence of the pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), in the state, raising conservation concerns for bat populations.
Officials confirmed the fungus through routine monitoring, though no bats displayed visible signs of the disease. White-nose syndrome, which first appeared in New York in 2006, causes fungal growth on bats during hibernation, leading to starvation and death. The disease does not impact humans unless it mutates.
Wildlife specialists are intensifying surveillance and implementing measures like equipment sterilization and habitat protection to curb the fungus's spread. Visitors are urged to avoid abandoned mines to prevent unintentional transmission of the spores. The situation remains ongoing as officials continue to monitor the bat population and fungal presence.
