White Nose SyndromeThis disease that has been killing at least 5.7 million bat deaths. White Nose Syndrome is known to affect hibernating bats and 7 species have been diagnosed with the disease. It is caused by a fungus from Eurasia, which was accidentally transported here by humans. The fungus invades the skin of hibernating bats and disrupts both their hydration and hibernation cycles. Hibernating bats awake repeatedly during the winter, burning up limited fat reserves. They often leave hibernation sites in late winter, dehydrated and in search of food and eventually die. The fungus is transmitted from bat to bat. Today, White Nose Syndrome is found 26 US states and 5 Canadian provinces.
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