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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [HEALTH]
2 clusters · 6 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated
White-nose syndrome spread in Canada
Overview
The lethal white-nose syndrome fungus, caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has been confirmed in Canada’s Northwest Territories. This represents the northernmost detection of the disease in North America, with infected colonies discovered near Fort Smith, roughly 725 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle.
The pathogen targets bats during hibernation, causing them to wake and groom excessively. This behavior depletes essential fat reserves, leading to death via dehydration or starvation. Researchers have noted significant physical damage in the region, including dying tissue on wings and extreme dehydration.
While the disease has killed over 6.7 million bats across the continent over the last two decades, the northward expansion into the Northwest Territories has occurred faster than researchers expected. Biologists are currently conducting monitoring surveys to track the spread and assess whether local populations, such as the brown myotis, can adapt to the rapid arrival of the pathogen.
Entities
Pseudogymnoascus destructans · Fort Smith · Northwest Territories · Alberta · Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Timeline
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25 days ago
[HEALTH] 3 sourcesWhite-nose syndrome fungus reaches Canada’s Northwest TerritoriesThe deadly white-nose syndrome fungus has reached Canada’s Northwest Territories, spreading faster than scientists anticipated and threatening bat populations near the Arctic Circle.
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30 days ago
[HEALTH] 3 sourcesWhite-nose syndrome fungus reaches Northwest TerritoriesThe lethal white-nose syndrome fungus has reached the Northwest Territories, marking its northernmost detection in North America and threatening local bat populations.
Sources
brandonsun.com · chosic.com · dagens.com · internewscast.com · newsflash24.de · portalvalencarj.com.br