Where did it come from?

The cause of the sudden appearance of WNS, in New York in 2006,  is greatly debated.  While the origin of the fungus is not known, many biologists speculate that the fungus originated in Europe.  The very same fungus has been observed in Europe in healthy bat populations that have developed an immunity to the disease.  It is speculated that the transfer of the fungus from Europe to North America came on the boots or clothing of humans.

 Once the fungus entered populations in North America, it continued to spread because of people moving from one cave to another without properly cleaning their clothing, boots, or equipment.  Samples of the fungus have been found in the soil of caves, suggesting that this transmission process is possible.  It has also been discovered that bats are capable of transferring the fungus from one bat to another. A recently conducted laboratory experiment suggested that physical bat-to-bat contact is required for the spread of the disease.  The same study found that bats in mesh cages adjacent to infected bats did not contract the fungus, implying that the fungus is not airborne, or at least is not spread from bat to bat through the air. 

What can you do to prevent the transfer of White Nose Syndrome when visiting local caves?  Researchers suggest the best measure to prevent the spread of WNS is to properly disinfect boots, equipment, and clothing after leaving a cave and to limit activity in areas where WNS is prevalent.  In some areas where White Nose Syndrome is increasingly bad, caves are being closed entirely to prevent any chance of humans aiding in the transmission of fungus spores.