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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A fungus that has become deadly for millions of bats nationwide has been detected in Oregon for the first time.
The U.S. Geological Survey announced on Thursday that Pseudogymnoascus destructans was discovered in a bat roost at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Clatsop County. The fungus causes “white-nose-syndrome,” an infection that disrupts bats’ hibernation and often leads to dehydration and starvation, according to the agency.
USGS reported that it analyzed the samples as part of a multi-agency push to monitor bat disease throughout the Pacific Northwest. The National Park Service assisted in obtaining the samples.
“The sample was likely from a Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis), which migrates from winter roosts to maternity roosts in the spring,” USGS wrote. “No bats in Oregon have been observed with signs of white-nose syndrome, however, bats can carry the fungal spores on their skin, groom themselves, and shed them briefly afterward in their feces or guano. ”
Officials said white-nose syndrome has led to the death of millions of North American bats since it was first detected in New York in 2007. While “at least” 41 states have detected the infection, five others have detected the fungus, but with no cases of white-nose syndrome.
This includes Washington. USGS also detected Pseudogymnoascus destructans in three bats at San Juan Island National Historical Park.
The agency noted that the fungus is primarily spread to and from bats as they hibernate in caves, karsts and mines and white-nose syndrome doesn’t infect humans. But the infection can still be spread through items used in and around caves, like clothing or gear. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife encouraged visitors of caves and other roost sites to disinfect gear before leaving the location.
ODFW added that several agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, have been regularly monitoring the fungus at different roost sites since 2011.