Disease Devastating Ga. Bats Found In Washington State

A deadly bat disease has been confirmed in the state of Washington, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials Thursday.

Officials said the case is the farthest west since the disease was detected in North America about 10 years ago. In Georgia, the white nose syndrome has been already ravaging the state’s bat population since its detection in the state in 2013.

White nose syndrome is caused by a fungus and can kill bats by disrupting their hibernation and causing them to starve. It has killed about 90 percent of the tri-colored bats in North Georgia, said Pete Pattavina, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

He called the news that the disease is now that far out west devastating.

“What will be left after those two killing waves meet – if they meet –  if we can’t find a way to respond to this is going to be very bleak,” he said.