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Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome found in British Columbia
Officials are now keeping an eye out for signs of the disease in bats
The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats has been detected in bat guano in British Columbia. It’s the first appearance of the fungus in the province, although biologists have been on the lookout for it since it appeared on the West Coast of the U.S. in 2016. Officials are now increasing their surveillance for the disease, which can be fatal in bats and can devastate entire populations. Since its appearance in New York state in 2006, white-nose syndrome has spread to 38 states and eight provinces. Its effect on bat populations in Canada led to three bat species to be listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act.
Header Image: Biologists are watching for signs of white-nose syndrome in British Columbia after the fungus that causes the deadly disease was found in bat guano in the province. Credit: Tim Gage
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