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Fungus that has killed millions of bats found in Texas for first time

Fungus causes White-Nose Syndrome, deadly disease to hibernating bats

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease to hibernating bats, has been found for the first time in Texas.

The fungus, caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has been detected in samples taken from three bat species in six West Texas counties — Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Hardeman, King and Scurry.

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The research team from Texas A&M University and Bat Conservation International report the samples showed fungus present on tri-colored, cave myotis and Townsend's big-eared bats.

No cases of the disease were found in those counties.

The fungus has been found in 30 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces so far, but does not affect humans.

Texas is home to 32 bat species, which control insect populations and help with crop pollination.

White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats since its 2006 discovery in a cave near Albany, New York.

But there is still hope for Texas bats, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials

Officials say the fungus thrives in colder climates and 20 of the 32 species of bats in Texas do not regularly hibernate.

State officials are hopeful the bat population will not suffer a significant decline.

The fungus that causes deadly white-nose syndrome in hibernating bats has been detected in Texas for the 1st time. This...

Posted by Texas Parks and Wildlife on Thursday, March 23, 2017

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RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

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