May 06, 2009

Byrd Seeking Emergency Funding To Combat Disease Among Bat Population

The first case of WNS was reported in 2006 near Albany, New York, and since then, scientists have confirmed cases of WNS in nine Northeast states, reaching as far south as West Virginia.  Given this disease’s rapid spread, the letter notes that “it is highly likely that WNS will spread from the northeast into some of the largest and most diverse bat colonies in the nation, which are located in the southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.”

“West Virginia is home to numerous bat species, including the endangered Virginia big-eared bat, and the Indiana bat,” Byrd said.  “It is possible that some species may face extinction given the current mortality rate and the rate at which WNS is spreading.”

“Since the WV Division of Natural Resources began monitoring the bat deaths occurring in West Virginia caves, Pendleton Caves and caves in the Monongahela have been closed to explorers to prevent the spread of WNS.  These cave closings will have a negative impact on the local tourism economy.”

In their letter to Secretary Salazar, the Members of Congress indicated that WNS has drastic consequences for the country’s environmental and public health as well as its economy.  Bats “prey almost exclusively on insects such as mosquitoes, which spread disease, and moths and beetles, which damage crops.  A single bat can easily eat more than 3,000 insects a night and an entire colony will consume hundreds of millions of these crop-destroying and disease-carrying pests every year.  Bats reduce the need for pesticides, which cost farmers billions of dollars every year and are harmful to human health.”

The funding would help these agencies with “research, management, coordination, and outreach in order to provide an appropriate coordinated response to this deadly, newly emergent disease,” the letter added.

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