Fungus that Causes White-nose Syndrome Confirmed in California

White-nose syndrome was detected for the first time in California in 2018 and 2019, not far from Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Map Last Updated: 7/25/2019.

Available at: https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map

July 2019 - It began near Albany, New York in 2006 when cavers captured the first glimpses of bats with a fuzzy white fungus growing on their muzzles. Since then, white-nose syndrome has spread out from Albany in all directions, decimating hibernating colonies of many bat species. In 2016, it was confirmed for the first time in a western state (Washington), more than 1,300 miles from the previous western frontier of the disease. Now, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd, has been detected for the first time in California.

A bat monitoring program supported by federal and state agencies, as well as several NGO’s, has been testing for the Pdin California since 2016. As a part of this effort, staff with the National Park Service’s Klamath Network found a single little brown bat that tested positive for the fungus in Chester, CA, not far from Lassen Volcanic National Park in 2018. This spring, they found three more bats that tested positive for low levels of Pd at two sites in the same area. So far, the bats have not shown symptoms of white-nose syndrome. However, in other parts of the country the disease has followed detection of the fungus by up to four years. Many California bat species are known to host Pd, and at least five are also susceptible to white-nose syndrome.

Partners including USGS, the National Park Service, and One Tam, have yet to detect Pd on bats in the San Francisco Bay Area, but they are staying vigilant. Knowing as early as possible where Pd is can help us all take steps to slow its spread. While it spreads from bat to bat, its spores can also survive for long periods and hitch rides on our clothing and outdoor gear. If you’ve been to potential bat hang-outs like cliffs, caves, or abandoned buildings, learn what you can do to decontaminate before heading out again. This is crucial because slowing down the spread of Pd buys time for scientists to come up with effective ways to help bats survive when the fungus does reach new places. Millions of bat lives could hang in the balance.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has more on the confirmation of Pd in California.

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