Comment on Fatal bat fungus epidemic claws its way into Texas

Yet, White-Nose Syndrome, a fatal fungal disease, has rapidly killed millions of hibernating bats since 2007 when it was first discovered near Albany, N.Y. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed late last week that the fungus has now reached Texas. Bat Conservation International and Texas A&M University biologists detected the fungus, "Pseudogymnoascus destructans," on three bat species in six Texas counties early this year. After taking skin swabs from bats, researchers found molecular traces of the fungus, determining the full-blown disease has not yet arrived in Texas. Since its discovery, White-Nose Syndrome has killed millions of bats in over 30 states and six Canadian provinces. In hopes of combatting the disease, BCI is working with state wildlife agencies and the national WNS Disease Surveillance Working Group on strategies to adapt response efforts to the disease. Research conducted in 2006 concluded Mexican free-tailed save cotton farmers in south-central Texas more than $740,000 annually by reducing crop damage and pesticide use in the U.S., according to Bat Conservation International.