# White-nose syndrome spread in Canada > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/white-nose-syndrome-spread-in-canada > Updated: 2026-08-17T17:06:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: White-nose syndrome fungus reaches Canada’s Northwest Territories The deadly white-nose syndrome fungus has reached Canada’s Northwest Territories, spreading faster than scientists anticipated and threatening bat populations near the Arctic Circle. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-nose-syndrome-fungus-reaches-canadas-northwest-territories ### 2026-08-13: White-nose syndrome fungus reaches Northwest Territories The lethal white-nose syndrome fungus has reached the Northwest Territories, marking its northernmost detection in North America and threatening local bat populations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-nose-syndrome-fungus-reaches-northwest-territories --- Cite as: White-nose syndrome spread in Canada. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/white-nose-syndrome-spread-in-canada