Deadly Bat Disease Found in Chelan County

Chelan County is part of the spread across Washington State of the deadly disease for bats.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed Monday that the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was found in a dead bat near Malaga.

White-nose syndrome does not affect humans, livestock, or other wildlife, but can kill hibernating bats.

The Department says Washington is home to 15 bat species that are important predators of night-flying insects.

WDFW says the bats benefit humans by eating tons of insects that can negatively affect forest health, commercial crops, and human health and well-being.

The dead bat near Malaga was confirmed to have white-nose syndrome. The bat species was either a Yuma myotis or little brown bat, two common bat species that are visually hard to tell apart.

According to WDFW, the disease attacks the skin of hibernating bats and damages their wings, making it difficult to fly.

Infected bats often leave hibernation too early, which causes them to deplete their fat reserves and become dehydrated or starve to death.

The disease was also found in bats this year in Mason and Yakima Counties in Washington.