A myotis bat, found dead in Fallon County in southeastern Montana, has been confirmed positive for white-nose syndrome. Â
The bat was sent to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI, for analysis. It tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. A pathologist also confirmed characteristic WNS lesions in the skin of the bat. Â
Biologists with Fish, Wildlife & Parks have been closely monitoring for WNS in recent years as part of an effort to track the impacts of the disease once it arrives, but this is the first case detected in Montana. Bat droppings and environmental samples collected in six eastern Montana counties last summer tested positive for the Pd fungus; however, presence of the fungus does not necessarily confirm the presence of the disease. Also last year, WNS was detected just across the border in North Dakota. Â
MILES CITY â A myotis bat, found dead in Fallon County in southeastern Montana, has been confirmed positive for white-nose syndrome.
The bat was sent to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., for analysis. It tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. A pathologist also confirmed characteristic WNS lesions in the skin of the bat.
Biologists with Fish, Wildlife & Parks have been closely monitoring for WNS in recent years as part of an effort to track the impacts of the disease once it arrives, but this is the first case detected in Montana. Bat droppings and environmental samples collected in six eastern Montana counties last summer tested positive for the Pd fungus; however, presence of the fungus does not necessarily confirm the presence of the disease. Also last year, WNS was detected just across the border in North Dakota.
Hemorrhagic disease found in wild rabbit in Yellowstone County
BILLINGS – A wild cottontail rabbit in Yellowstone County has tested positive for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). This positive result is in addition to four feral domestic rabbits that tested positive in Yellowstone County in February. The four feral rabbits were part of a population of about 40 rabbits, all of which are reported to have died. Another single rabbit later tested positive from an area nearby.
RHDV2 is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas). Although it is considered a foreign animal disease, RHDV2 has been confirmed in North America in domestic and feral rabbits, as well as wild jackrabbits, hares and cottontails. In the United States, RHDV2 has been detected in Ohio, Washington, New York, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, and most recently, Montana.
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White-nose syndrome found in Wind Cave bats
March 5, 2021
Photo: Bat, exhibiting signs of white-nose syndrome, in Wind Cave. (NPS Photo)
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that kills hibernating bats, has been confirmed in Wind Cave. Samples recently sent in for testing revealed 2 confirmed cases of the disease and 5 probable.
Wind Cave is home to 9 species of bats, including the northern long-eared bat which is one of the species most impacted by WNS. Due to drastic population declines caused by this disease, the northern-long eared bat was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Caves such as Wind Cave provide important shelter for these unique flying mammals that can eat up to their body weight in insects each day and provide valuable pest control services.