Paula Rodriguez de la Vega, Okanagan Region Coordinator, BC Community Bat Programs is pleased to report that White Nose Syndrome has been slow to spread to BC. * the dots are where Pd, the fungus that causes WNS has been found. It is found by testing spring guano. Some guano tested positive for Pd in the Boundary region in 2022. Surprisingly all the spring guano we have sent in 2023 was negative for Pd (Yey!).
* In order to confirm that WNS, the disease, has arrived, we have to find a bat that is sick with WNS. This is why we collect dead bats between Nov. 1 to May 31st for testing. All of the dead bats sent in to date have been negative for WNS (Yey!).
* It is difficult to detect the fungus (Pd) or WNS in summer because the heat destroys the Pd spores and the bats that die in summer usually die from something else (cat predation, overheating, old age, etc).
* Bats with WNS have been detected in Washington and Alberta. WNS is likely in southern BC, but we haven’t found any bats with it yet to confirm this. This is why it’s really important to get people to report dead bats this winter, and to collect them for lab work.
* We have to follow the ‘Sick or Dead Bat Protocol’ to ensure safety is covered off first. So if anyone reports a dead bat, we have to make sure there has been no direct contact (bite/scratch). If there was, then health authority has to be notified and they assess and take action. Same with contact with pets – the veterinarians need to be notified and give rabies boosters to dogs/cats that have come into contact with a bat.
* Please report any dead bats to www.bcbats.ca or call Paula for Okanagan reports,toll free: 1-855-922-BATS (2287) ext.13, so she can review the Sick or Dead Bat Protocol with you.
- For Peachland, please contact BEEPS. In**@be************.com
