A MANHUNT IS UNDERWAY FOR MAN WHO SHOT A GRANITE CITY POLICE OFFICER MULTIPLE TIMES.(PHOTO).
Officials with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are warning about a concerning discovery in Washington state’s San Juan Island National Park.
Lab tests confirmed that three bats at the park tested positive for the fungus that causes White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a deadly disease for hibernating bats. The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), is believed to have originated in Asia or Europe, with the first case in Washington detected in 2016.
White-Nose Syndrome has killed millions of bats nationwide since it was first observed in New York in 2006 and has since spread across most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. While the disease does not affect humans, it can easily spread among bat populations.
Park biologists are urging visitors to report any dead or injured bats to park personnel and to avoid touching or handling bats. “Although WNS does not cause illness in humans, a small percentage of bats can carry other dangerous diseases, such as rabies,” the National Park Service said in a statement.
San Juan Island is home to 10 of the 14 bat species found in Washington, making the discovery particularly concerning. Bats are critical for maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and infection could have serious ecological impacts. Officials also recommend decontaminating clothing and gear after visiting caves or bat habitats to help prevent the spread of the Pd fungus.
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