Bat-killing disease confirmed in Kittitas County, WDFW says

CLE ELUM, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed a case of white-nose syndrome, an often fatal disease for bats, in Cle Elum.

This is the first time the disease has been confirmed in Washington east of the Cascades. Kittitas County is the fourth county in Washington affected, joining King, Pierce and Lewis counties.

WDFW sent four dead bats to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, which confirmed that all four had white-nose syndrome.

The disease is harmful to hibernating bats but doesn't affect humans or other wildlife. It attacks the skin of the bats and damages their wings, making it difficult to fly, and wakes them up early from hibernation. As a result they lose valuable fat stores, suffer dehydration and die.

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"We are thankful that this homeowner was a caring steward of these bats and reached out to let us know about the bats on their property, and for reporting the dead bats," said Abby Tobin, white-nose syndrome coordinator for WDFW. "We rely on these types of tips from the public of sick or dead bats, or groups of bats, to monitor bat populations and track the spread of this deadly bat disease."

The first case in Washington was documented in 2016, and since then WDFW has confirmed 34 cases of the disease in three bat species.

Cox Media Group