For the first time, Texas Parks and Wildlife has confirmed the disease white-nose syndrome in a Texas bat.
Nathan Fuller is a bat specialist at Texas Parks and Wildlife. Fuller says, "The infected bat was a cave myotis. It was found dead in Gillespie County in February." He says the fungus has been in the state for a number of years. But, the disease had yet to be recorded until last week. He says the disease has killed millions of hibernating bats in the eastern part of the country.
Fuller says, "We're following up on several other reports to determine whether this was an isolated incident or if the impacts are more widespread. We recently received a report from site in Bell County of five cave myotis that we suspect were infected as well. We should know more in the next few weeks."
Fuller says, "There are a number of researchers who are working on treatments." He says the disease if not a risk to people. If you see a dead or sick bat, you are urged to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife for possible testing.
