Strange syndrome causes bats to die in mass

At least 5.7 million bats across the 16 states of the United States and Canada have died from a strange disease called White-nose syndrome (White-nose syndrome).

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The US and Canadian agriculture sector is suffering with millions of bats dying each year, which causes the cost of insecticides to kill pests, which are the main food of bats.

At least 5.7 million bats across the 16 states of the United States and Canada have died from a strange disease called White-nose syndrome (White-nose syndrome) , BBC quoted scientists of fungal disease as saying. .

The disease was first discovered on bats in 2006 in a cave in New York State, USA. Symptoms of the disease are the bats' muzzle covered by a strange white fungus. Some other areas of the bat body may also see these white spots.

The strange white nose syndrome is killing millions of bats every year.

So far, laboratories have not been able to identify the name of the strange fungus as well as the cause of death in bats. Just know that this mushroom thrives in the winter.

Previously, the US Department of Wild and Fish had to close many caves and mines to prevent the spread of this syndrome.

According to US officials, bats are very species for agriculture and the US economy in general. A bat during night flight, can eat an insect mass equal to 50-75% of its body weight. Indirectly, bats help protect crops as well as control insects that can spread diseases to humans.

According to scientists' calculations, the massive death of bats causes losses in the North American economy of at least $ 3.7 billion per year, including the cost of insecticides, which are the food of bat. That is not to mention the cost of overcoming the effects of pesticides on humans, animals and the environment.

The rapid spread of this strange disease also caused considerable difficulties for the authorities in estimating bat population.

"The nasal white syndrome spread rapidly through bat populations in eastern North America that caused a significant mortality rate ," said Dr Jeremy Coleman, coordinator of the National Association of White Nose Association. to speak.

"Many bats have died before we can make judgments about the population of bats and white nose syndrome ," Dr. Cole man said.