White Nose Syndrome Page

White Nose Syndrome Page
A Project of the
Liaison on White Nose Syndrome
National Speleological Society

Share | Last Updated July 28, 2010

Photo by Alan Hicks

	Support WNS Research!		Donate to the NSS Rapid Response Fund!
Did you know that purchasing bat stickers helps contribute to bat research?

NSS White Nose Syndrome Policy
(adopted 4/17/2010)

NSS White Nose Syndrome
Current Strategies

B R E A K I N G N E W S

7/28/10:

7/27/10:

7/26/10:

7/20/10:

7/19/10:

6/30/10:

6/25/10:

Missouri Closes Devil's Icebox, extends Cave Closure Policy to Sept. 1

USFS Closes Caves/Mines in CO, KS, NE, SD, WY: News Release & Formal order

Western Cave Closure Consideration Attracts Lively Debate

Virginia updates/loosens cave cleaning/decon recommendations

Georgia WNS Plan Asks Cavers to Decon and Voluntarily Limit Caving. The Response Plan.

WNS Fungus found on Southeastern Myotis bat in Virginia

Alabama Releases WNS Plan

PREVIOUS BREAKING NEWS POSTS

MEDIA ACCOUNTS

CAVE CLOSURES

PLEASE CLEAN AND DISINFECT YOUR CAVE GEAR!
To help contain the possible spread of WNS by humans, here are the most recent protocols for cleaning and disinfecting cave clothing and gear. These will be updated as better information becomes available. Caving clothes and gear used within the 17-state USFWS Advisory area should not be taken outside of that region. Cave softly, cave cleanly!
New Protocol, June 9, 2010: PowerPoint or PDF version

NEW UPDATE COMING SOON!

Peter Youngbaer
NSS 16161
NSS WNS Liaison

WNS RESEARCH CENTER

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

WNS Rapid Response Fund
Give to the fund here and now!
Help us continue to fund priority, time-sensitive research 
that would otherwise not occur.
Researchers Apply Here
Grant application guidelines, review & award process
        RRF Grants 2010  (5/1/10)
        RRF Grants, Sep. - Dec. 2009 
        Grantees, awards, and briefs (1/11/10)
        RRF Grants as of Sept. 2009  
        Grantees, awards, and project briefs, as of 9/17/09

Abstracts from the Pittsburgh WNS Symposium, May 25-27

One Stop Chart of WNS Past and Current Research Projects (Thanks to USFWS)

New Published Research on Geomyces Destructans (posted 6/6/10)

Pathologic Findings and Liver Elements in Hibernating Bats With WNS

Published research on WNS-related wing damage (Reichard and Kunz)

Published Research on Climate and Reproductive Timing on Demography Little Brown Bats and Implications of WNS on Species Viability British Journal of Animal Ecology, 2009

Scientists' letter of concern to USFWS (11/24/09)

NJ Summer Bat Count Survey Report

Sterling Rope and Webbing Decon and Stress Results
(from Dr. Hazel Barton; IMPORTANT: These are Sterling results only - no results yet from other rope manufacturers)

Special WNS Session at the International Congress of Speleology/NSS Convention
July 23, 2009. Links to complete presentations.

Special Report: WNS Scientific Research Summary and Status
A special summary of ongoing WNS research (PDF 3/15/09)

Albany WNS Science Strategy Conference Proceedings
Includes the WNS research priorities for 2008-2009 that were developed as a result of the June 2008 meeting.

Second WNS Science Strategy Conference Proceedings
Austin TX, May 27-28, 2009

Published Research on WNS-related Fungus
Dr David Blehert, et al's description of the Geomyces sp.

Wing Damage Index for Assessing WNS-Affected Bats
A field assessment tool for examining damage to bats that have emerged from hibernation.

WNS fungus named: Geomyces destructans
This species is described as new to science.

WNS webinar from National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)
Link to all the presentations on 24 June 09.
View the Summary Report of the NIMBioS Workshop

Histopathologic criteria to confirm white-nose syndrome in bats
Invasion of living tissue distinguishes this fungal infection.

Rapid PCR Diagnosis of WNS in Bats (Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation)

WNS Information Brochure - Please print and distribute to youth groups, landowners, show cave owners, cavers and others who should know about WNS. (Updated version as of 6/22/10!)

WNS Classroom Education Poster (from Virginia)

WNS: Background and Current Status
A slide-show by Alan Hicks, NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Updated (11/29/08) PowerPoint presentation with distribution maps, information on spring emergence, and expanded information on the effect of WNS. Download and show at grotto and public informational meetings.

The Battle for Bats!
WNS video -- Share it widely!

House Congressional Hearing on WNS - June 4 Includes links to NSS and all other testimony, video, photos.

Senate Hearing on WNS - July 8
Includes photos, testimony, and complete video transcript.

Map of WNS outbreaks and all known hibernacula in the East
An intriguing look at the march of WNS and the significant areas still at risk.

USGS National Wildlife Health Center Bulletin March 10, 2010

USGS Fact Sheet
PDF does a great job of explaining WNS and present research

Visit the National Speleological Society