A deadly fungus that led to the death of millions of bats across North America has been detected in several counties across California, wildlife officials announced this week.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife said that the fungus was first detected last year in bats in northern Humboldt County, California, and this year was confirmed in four other northern and central counties. But inconclusive laboratory test results suggested the fungus behind “white-nose syndrome” may also be present in seven additional counties, including southern San Diego and San Bernardino.
The fungus has been detected on several species of bats in California . It was found on Western red bat for the first time in May.
While the syndrome has not yet been observed in any of the state’s 25 species of bats, officials are concerned that the presence of the fungus suggests it could attack the bats within the next few years. That’s happened in other states since the disease was discovered in 2006.
White-nose syndrome develops when the fungus, known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans , invades the bats’ skin cells. It appears as white fuzz on their faces and damages the animals’ delicate wings. Bats that are infected often end winter hibernation early, when water and food are scarce.