Arizona bats test positive for possibly deadly fungus; wildlife agency seeks public's help
A bat that was part of the cave myotis species in Fort Huachuca, just west of Sierra Vista, tested positive for a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) that can cause deadly white-nose syndrome (WNS), according to the Arizona Department of Game and Fish.
The positive sample was collected during a June 2024 surveillance when Game and Fish identified a bat with abnormal wing features linked to the disease. The agency later discovered four additional bats, including two from other species, that tested positive for trace amounts of the fungus.
Debbie Brewer, a Game and Fish biologist for the Fort Huachuca area, said monitoring for the Pd has existed in the area since 2014, with positive infections found in 2017, followed by low-level spread in 2021 and 2023.
"Though not unexpected, our 2024 high-level positive detection in cave myotis is highly concerning and should put other land managers in the Southwest on alert that habitat protections for this and other species of bat are warranted," wrote Brewer in a news release.
With the help of citizen scientists: An endangered bat species has been found in Arizona
Pd, which causes white-nose syndrome, is named after the white fungal growth seen on infected bats. Since 2006, the disease has led to the deaths of millions of bats across 40 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces, according to Game and Fish.
White-nose syndrome does not pose a risk to humans or pets, but human activity is a major concern for bringing fungal spores into cold, humid caves where bats hibernate, and where optimal growing conditions exist for the fungus.
'This disease did not exist when I first began working with bats. To see new threats to our bat populations like this is disturbing," said Angie McIntire, a specialist on Arizona bats for Game and Fish.
A bat infected with WNS may display unusual behavior, which Game and Fish said usually appears like the bat is unable to fly or is perched low on a wall or is on the ground.
The wildlife agency asks the public to help monitor for the disease by reporting any possible cases by email to bats@azgfd.gov, sending a detailed report of the encounter, photos, location and contact information, but also reminds the public to never handle bats.
Game and Fish said since 2019, the fungus has been found in Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai and Cochise counties, and at Grand Canyon National Park. Between 2021 and 2024, a total of eight bats, including cave myotis, southwestern myotis and big brown bats, tested positive for the fungus.
Infections within the cave myotis bat species also have been found nearby in New Mexico and Texas, highlighting to researchers a possible vulnerability among the species for WNS.
Bat season in Arizona: What attracts them and are they dangerous?
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bats in southern Arizona test positive for fungus deadly to species
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
2 hours ago
- Business Wire
Amprion Announces Strategic Growth Initiatives, Expanding Access to Breakthrough SAAmplify Test
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amprion, a global leader advancing diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders through seed amplification testing, has announced several strategic growth initiatives to broaden access to its SAAmplify-ɑSYN test. These initiatives include a comprehensive website refresh, expanded test availability via Mayo Clinic's network of hospitals and clinical sites, and ongoing preparations for international expansion. As part of its continuing growth and commitment to advancing early and accurate diagnosis, Amprion will showcase its latest developments and momentum at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), July 27-31, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. Attendees can connect with the Amprion team at booth #616. Following its recent collaboration with Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Amprion launched a newly redesigned website to meet the growing demand for its SAAmplify-ɑSYN test, which aids in the diagnosis of synucleinopathies. The breakthrough test can detect the presence of aggregates of alpha-synuclein protein, the underlying pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and Alzheimer's disease with Lewy bodies (AD + DLB), in cerebrospinal fluid. Launched earlier this month, the updated website is designed to provide patients, clinicians, and industry leaders with streamlined access to Amprion's latest research, information, and more. 'As awareness and demand for our SAAmplify-ɑSYN test grow, we're working to ensure clinicians, researchers, and patients have better access to the tools and information they need,' said Dr. Russ Lebovitz, CEO and co-founder of Amprion. 'Our refreshed website and expanding partnerships are steps toward that goal, and we look forward to connecting with the global neuroscience community at AAIC.' Due to this surge in awareness, Amprion is actively exploring international expansion opportunities, with plans to bring its test to European and global markets. Initial announcements regarding country-specific launch strategies are expected in Q4 2025. For more information or to schedule a meeting with Amprion at AAIC 2025, please visit About SAAmplify-ɑSYN (formerly SYNTap®) Amprion's SAAmplify-ɑSYN test is a first-in-class-qualitative Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) and the only seed amplification assay available to aid the diagnosis of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy body dementia (LBD/DLB), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) with Lewy body co-pathology. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Amprion a Breakthrough Device Designation in 2019 for use of the test as an aid in the diagnosis of PD. The test became commercially available in the US in 2021. About Amprion Amprion is the global leader advancing diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders through seed amplification testing. Amprion's intellectual property surrounding SAA methodology extends to research, drug development, and commercialization. SAAmplify-ɑSYN (formerly SYNTap®) is the only seed amplification assay available to aid the diagnosis of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and Alzheimer's disease with Lewy body co-pathology. Amprion is also accelerating precision medicine for neurodegenerative disorders by helping biopharma partners identify new drug candidates and underlying pathologies. Learn more at or find us on LinkedIn.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
"Lifelong bond" formed by two kids given dream experience to command Regina's RCMP Academy
Two 10-year-old girls donned the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's ceremonial Red Serge uniform on Tuesday as they were put in charge of the RCMP Academy's Depot Division in Regina for a day. Janine from Lloydminster was one of the children selected to take part in a two-day experience hosted by the RCMP, including one day in Edmonton and the second in Regina. The youngsters were allowed to 'fly a drone, and I liked flying the drone,' said Janine, who also experienced 'petting some dogs and crushing a car (with a police truck).' This is the second year that the RCMP has offered a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the Kids with Cancer Society based in Edmonton. Tessa from Fort McMurray was also selected, and her favourite activity was also flying the drones. Only the first names of the girls were shared for their privacy. Janine described the experience as 'awesome.' For her mom, Laura, it meant a lot to see her daughter welcomed so warmly by the RCMP. It even brought tears to her eyes, she says. Janine was diagnosed with leukemia in 2021 but finished treatment two years ago. She's been in good health since, her mom says. 'Between COVID isolation and cancer, she was alone a lot so having this experience where she got to meet another cancer kid is really special for her,' said Laura, who accompanied her daughter over the two days. 'And she got to make some friends and do some cool experiences. I think her and Tessa formed like a lifelong bond.' The girls were taken for a helicopter ride above Edmonton and then later in the day flew to Regina, where they were fitted with their own Red Serge to join the cadet graduation dinner. On Tuesday, the RCMP held the Sergeant Major's Parade for a change of command and the girls inspected the cadets as co-commanding officers for the day. 'Children who are battling cancer miss so much,' said Madison McElligott, who is the events manager of the Kids with Cancer Society. 'This is our way of trying to give them a day back that they never would have (had).' The Kids with Cancer Society provides a variety of services to families in northern Alberta. The program also includes 'unique' dream experiences for the children, like the one held with the RCMP. Laura says it's already something they will never forget, adding that Janine might consider returning to Regina one day as a cadet. 'I'm so proud,' said her mother. 'She says she wants to come back and train.' Related 'A Canadian image': RCMP Heritage Centre a pillar in celebrating force's history Something special is brewing at RCMP Heritage Centre nyking@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
A Chinese research vessel returns to Arctic waters — and Canada is watching
The Canadian military and possibly the coast guard are keeping tabs on a Chinese research vessel as it returns to Arctic waters off Alaska for the second year in a row. Data compiled by an independent researcher and ship tracker, Steffan Watkins, shows a Canadian air force CP-140 surveillance plane was flying in the vicinity of the Xue Long (Snow Dragon) 2 as it exited the Bering Strait on Sunday. The aircraft, according to Watkins's research, relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, from its base in Comox, B.C., on July 9. It has conducted four patrols since then, including the most recent one involving the vessel, which is China's first domestically built polar research ship. Despite publicly available flight tracking showing the CP-140's patrol route, the Department of National Defence would not confirm on Monday the presence of the aircraft. On Tuesday, the military released a statement. "We will continue to conduct activities needed to detect, deter and defend against potential threats in, over and approaching Canada," said Maj. Alexander Naraine, a spokesperson for the military's joint operations centre. "The vessel, Xue Long 2, is not currently in Canadian territorial waters. The Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring the vessel Xue Long 2 with a CP-140 Aurora aircraft, based out of Alaska." He said that monitoring will continue "so long as it continues to operate near Canadian territorial waters." Naraine said competitor nations are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, "probing our infrastructure, and collecting intelligence using dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms." Coast guard says it's monitoring illegal fishing The air force appears to have picked up where the Canadian Coast Guard left off. The Chinese ice ship left Shanghai on July 6 and passed close to Japan a few days later, before heading north into Russian waters. "Shadowing the Xue Long 2 all of the way from Japan was CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, which unmistakably paralleled their transit, staying in international waters," Watkins wrote in his latest post, which included ship-tracking data. The coast guard ship, the data shows, stuck with the Xue Long 2 until it crossed into the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Russia. Asked about the mission of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the coast guard at first provided a circumspect response and pointed CBC News to a June 9 media release which said the ship would be conducting high seas patrols in the North Pacific to counter "illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing." Then late Monday, the agency denied it was shadowing the Xue Long 2. The stated mission of the coast guard ship was to focus on "migratory routes for key species like Pacific salmon," it said. However, when ship-tracking data is overlaid with publicly available data on salmon migration routes, only one-third of the recent voyage involved known salmon paths. The ship's helicopter was also slated to conduct patrols with Canadian fishery officers in Japan to "monitor fishing vessels and support partner countries to ensure compliance with international law," according to the statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to expand the reach, security mandate and abilities of the Canadian Coast Guard as part of the Liberal government's plan to beef up the country's defences. Eventually, the federal government intends to integrate the civilian agency, currently under the Fisheries Department, into Canada's NATO defence capabilities to, as Carney put it last June, "better secure our sovereignty and expand maritime surveillance." Last summer, the Royal Canadian Navy dispatched a frigate to monitor the Xue Long 2 during its voyage to the Arctic — a mission the Department of National Defence took more than a week to acknowledge. WATCH | Canada plots military expansion in the North: University of British Columbia Arctic expert Michael Byers said he believes Canadian officials need to be more forthcoming about the security threat they believe the vessel poses. "One has to actually do a proper threat assessment," Byers told CBC News in an interview. Military experts have described the Chinese ice research ship as a dual-use vessel — suggesting it has a military or defence capacity. Byers acknowledged the ship could be collecting data that's militarily relevant, but he questions if the term "dual-use" is relying on assumptions rather than evidence. Relations with China continue to be strained and Byers said statements that are "potentially escalatory" about what the Chinese are — and are not — doing in the Arctic need to be examined carefully. Having said that, he fully supports the military and coast guard's monitoring activities. "We're very concerned as a country about China as a rising military power, and obviously China is very strongly supporting Russia with regards to its invasion of Ukraine," Byers said. "So yes, if a Chinese government vessel is sailing anywhere close to the United States or to Canada, then yeah, we would be monitoring it."
