Wildlife Health Australia has been involved in a number of activities to reduce the risk to Australia of white-nose syndrome, a disease which has killed over six million insectivorous bats in North America.
The disease affects hibernating bats by causing wing damage that leads to disturbance and depletion of fat reserves over winter. It is caused by a fungus that only grows in low temperatures, and can persist in the environment for long periods, even in the absence of bats. The fungus has been found in North America, and also in Europe and China but without significant disease in bats. It has not been found in Australia.
WHA’s Keren Cox-Witton explains that a risk assessment and response guidelines have been developed, along with advice on how to identify and report a suspect case of white-nose syndrome.
The risk assessment was commissioned by WHA and funded by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. It was prepared by a team of experts led through the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, DELWP Victoria (Arthur Rylah Institute) and the University of Adelaide.
Keren said the risk assessment found that cave-dwelling insectivorous bats in the colder southern parts of Australia are likely to be at risk if white-nose syndrome was introduced. The critically endangered southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) and the eastern bent-winged bat (M. orianae oceanensis) are two species that could be threatened by the disease.
A workshop was then hosted last year by WHA and Animal Health Australia, to consider response options for a possible incursion of white-nose syndrome.
“As well as posing a risk to biodiversity, the disease could have some impacts on agriculture, due to the role of bats in controlling insect pests. In the United States, it has been estimated that the loss of bats could cost agriculture more than $3 billion per year. We’re not sure what the cost to Australian agriculture would be,” Keren said.
The most likely method of entry of white-nose syndrome into Australia is via infected objects such as clothing, footwear or equipment used in affected caves overseas.
It is important that anyone visiting affected caves overseas does not bring potentially contaminated gear or clothing into Australia.
“We have worked together with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Australasian Bat Society and the Australian Speleological Federation to raise awareness of the risk of white-nose syndrome, and to provide advice on how to keep the disease out of Australia,” she said.
Keren stressed that people working with, researching, or caring for microbats play an important role in identifying and reporting suspect cases of white-nose syndrome.
“Signs of white-nose syndrome include white or grey powdery fungus on the face, fur, skin or wings, wing damage, multiple deaths, and abnormal behaviour such as flying during the day,” she said.
Please refer to WHA’s How to report a suspect case of white-nose syndrome for more information, and remember that members of the public should not handle bats due to the risk of diseases such as Australian bat lyssavirus.
The WHA website also provides information for vets on sample submission for white-nose syndrome exclusion testing.
The disease affects hibernating bats by causing wing damage that leads to disturbance and depletion of fat reserves over winter. It is caused by a fungus that only grows in low temperatures, and can persist in the environment for long periods, even in the absence of bats. The fungus has been found in North America, and also in Europe and China but without significant disease in bats. It has not been found in Australia.
WHA’s Keren Cox-Witton explains that a risk assessment and response guidelines have been developed, along with advice on how to identify and report a suspect case of white-nose syndrome.
The risk assessment was commissioned by WHA and funded by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. It was prepared by a team of experts led through the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, DELWP Victoria (Arthur Rylah Institute) and the University of Adelaide.
Keren said the risk assessment found that cave-dwelling insectivorous bats in the colder southern parts of Australia are likely to be at risk if white-nose syndrome was introduced. The critically endangered southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) and the eastern bent-winged bat (M. orianae oceanensis) are two species that could be threatened by the disease.
A workshop was then hosted last year by WHA and Animal Health Australia, to consider response options for a possible incursion of white-nose syndrome.
“As well as posing a risk to biodiversity, the disease could have some impacts on agriculture, due to the role of bats in controlling insect pests. In the United States, it has been estimated that the loss of bats could cost agriculture more than $3 billion per year. We’re not sure what the cost to Australian agriculture would be,” Keren said.
The most likely method of entry of white-nose syndrome into Australia is via infected objects such as clothing, footwear or equipment used in affected caves overseas.
It is important that anyone visiting affected caves overseas does not bring potentially contaminated gear or clothing into Australia.
“We have worked together with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Australasian Bat Society and the Australian Speleological Federation to raise awareness of the risk of white-nose syndrome, and to provide advice on how to keep the disease out of Australia,” she said.
Keren stressed that people working with, researching, or caring for microbats play an important role in identifying and reporting suspect cases of white-nose syndrome.
“Signs of white-nose syndrome include white or grey powdery fungus on the face, fur, skin or wings, wing damage, multiple deaths, and abnormal behaviour such as flying during the day,” she said.
Please refer to WHA’s How to report a suspect case of white-nose syndrome for more information, and remember that members of the public should not handle bats due to the risk of diseases such as Australian bat lyssavirus.
The WHA website also provides information for vets on sample submission for white-nose syndrome exclusion testing.
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