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Has anyone ever tested for Geomyces destructans in a non WNS cave? What about testing caves that are in the path of WNS transmission?

IF (and I realize that it's a BIG if) it were....then we'd know that we have a completely different problem.

Just thinking out loud....

Yes. The sediment sampling that was done during the winter of 2008-2009 took many samples from non-WNS sites. While only a small number of the total samples have been analyzed, none showed Geomyces destructans from other then known WNS sites.

Thanks!

Is testing continuing to see when it actually hits those caves?

Rick Brinkman wrote:Has anyone ever tested for Geomyces destructans in a non WNS cave? What about testing caves that are in the path of WNS transmission?

Horsethief-Bighorn System has been tested [negative]and we have soil samples going back to 2004. Other Wyoming caves will also be tested such as Spirit Mountain Cave, also the BLM has Decon procedures on all permits handed which asks all cavers to Decon before entering a cave.

Rick,

The large sediment sampling project of last winter is not being replicated. I'd be curious to know what Wyoming is doing - e.g. what sampling protocol was followed, where were the samples sent for analysis, and what were the results? I'm not aware of who is doing this work. Evan says the results for Horsethief-Bighorn were negative, but what tests were performed?

Peter

PYoungbaer wrote:Rick,

The large sediment sampling project of last winter is not being replicated. I'd be curious to know what Wyoming is doing - e.g. what sampling protocol was followed, where were the samples sent for analysis, and what were the results? I'm not aware of who is doing this work. Evan says the results for Horsethief-Bighorn were negative, but what tests were performed?

Peter

Peter Febb. did the sample testing & analysis so you would have to ask him, I collected the samples in 2004.

The original samples where take not because of WNS but where apart of the Horsethief Project which we where documenting radioactivity (alpha, beta, and Gamma), micro and marco biology of the cave, unique geology; such as ash from the Island Park and Huckleberry eruptions from Yellowstone, and the Paleo finds in the cave such as Pleistocene camel, horse bones, and maybe short faced cave bear. Which the project is still ongoing mainly because I went over my radiation dosage limit. The eventual outcome of environmental assessment is to create a management plan for the cave. The cave area is now consider a "mine withdrawal area", which for as long as the cave exists no mining (mainly uranium) is allowed in the area and this area was expanded to include most of Little Mountain a couple of years ago.

I have been asked by the BLM and Park Service to return and collect this years samples to double check any and all results.

Thanks, Evan. I will inquire of Peter F. as to what protocols and analysis he used, but I can say that it was not part of the other project.

Peter F contacted me about getting some soil samples from Indiana. In that case he was looking for pathogens other than WNS, primarily human-risk ones. I said if he showed me his research permits for State Caves I'd be glad to oblige. Never heard back.

PYoungbaer wrote: but I can say that it was not part of the other project.

It has become a part of HTC project but indirectly. It will be noted under Cave Biology whether it is there or not at time of sampling.