Bat with white-nose syndrome confirmed in Washington state

http://www.ptleader.com/news/bat-with-white-nose-syndrome-confirmed-in-washington-state/article_6e228502-f79a-11e5-935c-6f6e45986206.html

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has been confirmed in a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) found near North Bend – the first recorded occurrence of this devastating bat disease in western North America. The presence of this disease was verified by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center, according to a press release March 31.

WNS has spread quickly among bats in other affected areas, killing more than six million beneficial insect-eating bats in North America since it was first documented nearly a decade ago, according to a press release from the USGS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WNS is not known to pose a threat to humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife.

On March 11, hikers found the sick bat about 30 miles east of Seattle near North Bend, and took it to Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for care. The bat died two days later, and had visible symptoms of a skin infection common in bats with WNS, according to the press release.