PORTLAND, Ore. — This Memorial Day weekend, people going outdoors are encouraged to help fight the spread of white-nose syndrome and save bats in the Pacific Northwest.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that has devastated bat populations in eastern North America, killing an estimated six million bats since 2006. In March 2016, Washington's first case of WNS was confirmed 30 miles east of Seattle.
"Once it's spread into an area, it spreads and very quickly," Colin Gillin with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife said. "If they've been to Washington caves or caves back east, they can easily bring it into the state."
WNS is primarily spread by bat-to-bat contact. Pets, other animals, and humans and their equipment -- including clothing, footwear, and gear -- can transfer spores of the fungus to new locations. The disease is not known to pose a threat to humans, pets, or other animal species.
"We've tested about 600 bats so far and have not come up (with) any positive cases," Gillin said of testing performed in Oregon. "Every single county in Oregon has bats."
Gillin says bats play an important role in a healthy environment and economy, eating tons of crop and forest pests and saving farmers billions of dollars each year. They help regulate the insect population by consuming their body-weight in insects every night.
"If we lose a significant portion of our bats, or most of our cave bats to this disease, we will see some impact," he said.
To avoid the spread of WNS, federal land management and state wildlife agencies ask that visitors to bat-friendly locations such as caves, rock cliffs, buildings, talus areas, talus caverns, mines, or human-made structures follow these important recommendations:
Report sick, injured, and dead bats, or groups of bats. In Washington, report such findings to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In Oregon, report to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or call the ODFW toll free line at 866-968-2600. Additional resources and information may be found here.