- Hello Jeff - I would not begin to offer a possible cause
as this die off in, so far, two States is so unprecedented. I would venture
to say that a massive loss of bats in the area will have terrific effects
on ecosystem balance. As most people know, bats are an amazing natural
resource for controlling insects, especially disease-carrying mosquitoes...often
called 'man's deadliest enemy.'
- I will send an update as more info becomes available.
-
- Patty
-
-
- News from New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation
- For more information contact: Yancey Roy, 518-402-8000
-
- Bat Die-Off Prompts Investigation
-
- DEC Asks For Cavers' Help to Prevent Spread of "White
Nose Syndrome"
-
-
- ALBANY, NY (01/30/2008; 1401)(readMedia)-- Thousands
of hibernating bats are dying in caves in New York and Vermont from unknown
causes, prompting an investigation by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), as well as wildlife agencies and researchers
around the nation.
-
- The most obvious symptom involved in the die-off is a
white fungus encircling the noses of some, but not all, of the bats. Called
"white nose syndrome," the fungus is believed to be associated
with the problem, but it may not necessarily contribute to the actual cause
of death. It appears that the impacted bats deplete their fat reserves
months before they would normally emerge from hibernation, and die as a
result.
-
- Until researchers understand the cause and how it is
spread, state environmental officials and caving organizations are asking
people not to enter caves or mines with bats until further notice to avoid
the possible transfer of the disease from cave to cave. Vermont officials
are making a similar request.
-
- "What we've seen so far is unprecedented,'' said
Alan Hicks, DEC's bat specialist. "Most bat researchers would agree
that this is the gravest threat to bats they have ever seen. We have bat
researchers, laboratories and caving groups across the country working
to understand the cause of the problem and ways to contain it. Until we
know more, we are asking people to stay away from known bat caves."
-
- Bat biologists across the country are evaluating strategies
to monitor the presence of the disease and collect specimens for laboratory
analysis. Biologists are taking precautions using sanitary clothing
and respirators when entering caves -- to avoid spreading the disease in
the process.
-
- Bat populations are particularly vulnerable during hibernation
as they congregate in large numbers in caves in clusters of 300 per
square foot in some locations -- making them susceptible to disturbance
or disease. The vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of bats known
to hibernate in New York do so in just five caves and mines. Because bats
migrate as far as hundreds of miles to their summer range, impacts to hibernating
bats can have significant implications for bats throughout the Northeast.
-
- Indiana bats, a state and federally endangered species,
are perhaps the most vulnerable. Half the estimated 52,000 Indiana bats
that hibernate in New York are located in just one former mine a
mine that is now infected with white nose syndrome. Eastern pipistrelle,
northern long-eared and little brown bats are also dying. Little brown
bats, the most common hibernating species in the state, have sustained
the largest number of deaths.
-
- DEC has been working closely with the Vermont Fish and
Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Northeast
Cave Conservancy and the National Speleological Society, along with other
researchers from universities and other government agencies. DEC will provide
updates as they become available.
-
- Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD
- Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural Economics
- Univ of West Indies
-
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at:
- http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php
- Also my new website:
- http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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