White-Nose Syndrome
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White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating fungal disease that has wiped out millions of bats in North America since its introduction there in 2006.
While WNS has not been identified in Australia, a recent risk assessment found that it was ‘almost certain’ that WNS would be introduced to this continent over the next ten years, thus posing an imminent threat to the conservation of our native bat fauna. Below is a list of documents prepared for/by Wildlife Health Australia on WNS, including information on risks, prevention, identification, and management responses. THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING FOR THOSE WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH CAVES AND/OR THEIR BATS! |
North American little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) with white fungus on their faces and wings - classic signs of WNS.
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WNS Information
White Nose Syndrome Fact Sheet - This is one of a suite of fact sheets produced by WHA, providing summary information on this disease.
White-Nose Syndrome in bats in Australia: qualitative risk assessment - Wildlife Health Australia, with funding from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, commissioned a disease risk assessment for the potential incursion of white-nose syndrome to Australia. This report was prepared by a team of experts led through the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, DELWP (Arthur Rylah Institute) Victoria and the University of Adelaide. Based on the findings, guidelines are being developed to assist response agencies should the disease be inadvertently introduced.
White-Nose Syndrome: protecting Australian bats - This is an update on current activities to reduce the risk of introduction of WNS into Australia, and to better prepare Australia in case the disease were to be found here.
How to report a suspected case of White-Nose Syndrome - This document provides information on white-nose syndrome for people in Australia who come into contact with microbats e.g. bat/wildlife carers, ecologists and other researchers and students, cavers, cave managers, park rangers and members of the public.
White-Nose Syndrome Response Guidelines - These guidelines have been developed by Wildlife Health Australia in consultation with stakeholder groups (including the ABS), to assist response agencies in the event of an incursion of the exotic disease white-nose syndrome into bats in Australia.
White-Nose Syndrome in bats in Australia: qualitative risk assessment - Wildlife Health Australia, with funding from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, commissioned a disease risk assessment for the potential incursion of white-nose syndrome to Australia. This report was prepared by a team of experts led through the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, DELWP (Arthur Rylah Institute) Victoria and the University of Adelaide. Based on the findings, guidelines are being developed to assist response agencies should the disease be inadvertently introduced.
White-Nose Syndrome: protecting Australian bats - This is an update on current activities to reduce the risk of introduction of WNS into Australia, and to better prepare Australia in case the disease were to be found here.
How to report a suspected case of White-Nose Syndrome - This document provides information on white-nose syndrome for people in Australia who come into contact with microbats e.g. bat/wildlife carers, ecologists and other researchers and students, cavers, cave managers, park rangers and members of the public.
White-Nose Syndrome Response Guidelines - These guidelines have been developed by Wildlife Health Australia in consultation with stakeholder groups (including the ABS), to assist response agencies in the event of an incursion of the exotic disease white-nose syndrome into bats in Australia.
