Another possibility and a question

[tncaver]

Because WNS began in one small area of the NE in bat caves and gated mines where in some cases cavers were
not allowed to visit, isn't it possible that one of the bat biologists may have exposed bats to something brought
in accidentally from the biologists lab? That was long before any special precautions were taken because WNS
wasn't known yet. Contamination from one of the biologists labs could have created this whole mess. Just another
"what if" of course. It had to come from somewhere, and it did so all of a sudden.

Has WNS fungus been detected in any caves that do not have or never have had bats?

[wyandottecaver]

The what ifs could be endless. Your last question is a very good one however. This really should be in the WNS forum though.

[NZcaver]

The what ifs could be endless. Your last question is a very good one however. This really should be in the WNS forum though.

Move it if you want to. It seems to me that knowing where WNS first "hatched" might also provide clues as to what caused it.
Once a cause is known, then perhaps a cure or solution might follow.

[wyandottecaver]

We know the first recorded case. Whether that is really where it started is another story.

[Gator]

[quote="tncaver"]Because WNS began in one small area of the NE in bat caves and gated mines where in some cases cavers were
not allowed to visit, isn't it possible that one of the bat biologists may have exposed bats to something brought
in accidentally from the biologists lab? That was long before any special precautions were taken because WNS
wasn't known yet. Contamination from one of the biologists labs could have created this whole mess. Just another
"what if" of course. It had to come from somewhere, and it did so all of a sudden.

The fungus is new to science. Some theorize it is an exotic species (introduced to an area where it did not normally occur from another location). A species is found in Europe with spores that are the same shape, which are unusual (banana shaped rather than round). Did it come from Europe on a person or in some other fashion? Many species are being transported to new areas due to the mobility of humans. Fungi similar to other species can result from mutations in genetic material. There are species in the US in the same group as the one that causes WNS. They survive in cool, damp areas and exhibit the same types of affects on animals as the one which is observable on bat skin and gives it the name WNS. This cold have been an existing species that had a mutation in its genetic material and started affecting bats.

Interestingly, the fungus in Europe that is very similar to the one on WNS bats does not cause the same ill affects to European bats. This issue is being studied to find out why. Perhaps the agent/conditions that prevent adverse effects to European bats can be utilized to stem the problem in the US.