White-Nose Syndrome

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) gets its namesake from how it presents itself as a white fungus on bats' noses and muzzles, but it can also be present on a their ears or wings.

NPS Photo

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devasting fungal wildlife disease that has killed over 6 million bats since it first appeared in the United States in 2006. WNS is caused by a fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly Geomyces destructans) that thrives in the cold, dark, damp environments where bats hibernate.

Hibernating bats affected with WNS often display the white fungus on their muzzles, although the fungus can also be present on their face, ears, and wings. Bats that congregate into large groups can easily spread the fungus to each other, which cause mass die-offs of bat colonies.

WNS causes bats to wake more often during their hibernation, causing them to burn the calories and deplete the fat reserves otherwise needed to survive the winter. This pattern eventually leads them to starve to death. Afflicted bats may also lose water through wing membranes damaged by the fungus, and eventually die from dehydration. This pattern has driven two bat species in the United States to be listed as endangered species and one to be noted as a threatened species.

There is no known cure for WNS, and because of the high mortality rate of affected bats, any resistance to the fungus, if any, cannot be passed along to future generations. While WNS is not harmful to humans, this loss of bats has has the potential to effect more than just their cave environments. In caves, bats are a vital source of organic materials used as food to cave dwellings micro-organisms and invertebrates. Above ground, bats are the primary predators of nocturnal insects, including those whose larve damage food-crops that we eat. Although estimates vary, bats save the agriculture industry between $3.7 billion and $53 billion a year.

 

White-nose Syndrome has spread over much of the contiguous United States and Canada since it was first documented in 2006.
Map last updated: August 2019

https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/where-is-wns

Slowing the Spread

The first documented case of White-Nose Syndrome was confirmed in central New York in 2006. Since then, it has spread across the United States and Canada and reached the west coast in 2016. Although most commonly spread by bat-to-bat contact, fungal spores from P. destructans can last a long time on surfaces such as outdoor gear and clothing and can be transported from one cave to another without anyone knowing. Decontamination remains an important practice that can help slow its spread.

Groups like the US Geological Survey and the National Park Service are part of the White-Nose Syndrome Response Team led by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. We are doing our part to educate the public and prevent the spread of WNS. Different sites with bats and caves nationwide may have slightly varying methods on decontamination procedures, but the end goal is the same. There are decontamination practices we can all follow that will reduce the risk of human-assisted transmission of the fungus to other bats and/or habitats.

 

Know Before You Go

As a preventative measure to stop the human spread of the fungus that causes WNS in bats, any cave gear used in WNS-affected state may not be used in any cave in New Mexico. If gear has been used in a cave or mine outside of El Malpais NM, but not in a WNS-affected state, it is the responsibility of the Trip Leader to make sure that ALL members are using gear new to caving or have decontaminated their gear according to the regulations put in place by United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Any gear used in any other cave outside of El Malpais that isn't brand new must be cleaned or decontaminated prior to entering any of the caves.

 

Thoroughly Clean and Decontaminate Your Shoes

1. Get the dirt off your shoes or boots by rinsing off the larger pieces and a soft-bristled brush for finer material.
2. Completely cover and soak the soles of your shoes in a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 ounce (oz) of Lysol Professional Quarternary Cleaner or hydrogen peroxide for ten minutes.
3. While the soles soak, use a soft-bristled brush or damp cloth to scrube the outside of your boots.
4. Rinse shoes with water and allow to air dry.

Clean Your Clothing as Normal

• If the clothing has already been washed, it is ready to be used in a cave.
• If any clothing items have not been washed, use a different set of clothing.

Decontaminate All Caving Gear

• Caving gear includes helmets, gloves, headlamps and flashlights, cameras, and cell phones.
• Spray larger surfaces with a disinfecting, all-purpose cleaner. Allow to dry for 10 minutes before wiping down with a damp paper towel.
• Wipe down smaller items with an antibacterial wipe, such as a Clorox or Lysol Disinfecting wipes. Allow to air-dry for 10 minutes before use.
• If using a large camera, it is recommended to wrap it in a plastic bag before entering. A small hole in the bag may be necessary for larger lenses.

More detailed decontamination protocols ensure we all keep cave ecosystems safe and healthy for their residents and for visiting cavers.