State receives grant to monitor white-nose bat syndrome

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that Delaware received a nearly $23,000 grant as one of 30 states to receive federal grants totaling nearly $1.3 million for projects related to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats as it spreads across North America. State natural resource agencies will use the funds to support research, monitor bat populations and detect and respond to WNS.

Characterized by a white fungus visible on the noses, wings, tails and ears of bats, WNS is transmitted primarily by contact between bats, but people can also spread it by accidentally carrying the microscopic fungal spores on clothing and gear. Although bats do the vast majority of WNS dispersal, people are the only ones that can move it continental distances in short time periods.

The fungus thrives in cold temperatures and is found mainly in areas with mines and caves - or the cave-like conditions in parts of the Civil War-era fort - where bats hibernate. There is no evidence that WNS poses a health threat to humans, pets or livestock.

First discovered in New York in the winter of 2006-07, the disease has spread through the eastern U.S. and parts of Canada, and continues to move westward. The USFWS is leading a cooperative effort with federal and state agencies, tribes, researchers, universities and other non-governmental organizations to investigate and manage WNS.

In addition to developing science-based protocols and guidance for land management agencies and other partners to slow the spread of WNS, the USFWS has funded many research projects to support management and improve understanding of the disease.

Additional information about WNS is available at www.whitenosesyndrome.org.