OLYMPIA, Wash.-White-Nose Syndrome and the fungus that causes the often-fatal disease of hibernating bats has been detected in 11 Washington Counties, including Benton.
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, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“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.”
Bats infected with White-Nose Syndrome often leave hibernation too early, which causes them to deplete their fat reserves and become dehydrated or starve to death.
According to the WDFW, the first case of White-Nose Syndrome in the Western U.S. was in King County in 2016 and there have been 280 confirmed cases of the disease and fungus in Washington since.
While White-Nose Syndrome has been detected in 21 counties across Washington, it has been confirmed in nine.
The fungus that causes White-Nose Syndrome usually spreads between bats, however, it can spread if humans carry fungal spores on clothing, shoes, or recreation equipment that touches the fungus, according to the WDFW.
Anyone who finds sick or dead bats or sees bats behaving strangely should report the sightings on the WDFW website.
