What We Do

Led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the White-nose Syndrome Response Team combines the expertise and resources of over 150 partnering organizations. Every year, our White-Nose Syndrome Program awards millions of dollars in grant funding for scientific advancements and management to prevent and treat the disease.  

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The comprehensive response to white-nose syndrome: 

• Built a collaborative framework that has become a national model for addressing wildlife disease. 

• Produced over 150 peer-reviewed publications investigating WNS  

• Identified a novel disease pathogen, disease mechanisms, and diagnostic symptoms associated with WNS and its differential impacts on North American bat species 

• Developed and implemented pathogen and disease surveillance tools to precisely monitor spread and impacts 

• Identified disease treatments that are helping bats survive in the face of WNS 

• Hosted symposia and workshops to collaboratively address information needs, brainstorm solutions and advance research 

 

Researchers have been developing and testing a variety of experimental treatment options with our support. Scientists working towards solutions have generated an abundance of innovative ideas including:  

• Vaccination  

• UV-C light applied to kill the fungus in hibernacula  

• Probiotic dust applied to improve bat gut microbial health 

• Volatile organic compounds: B-23 and decanal antifungal fog applied to bats  

• Temperature and humidity regulation to reduce Pd in hibernacula and on bats  

• PEG - Polyethylene glycol to inhibit fungal growth

For more information on preventative and treatment innovations developed by the response team visit: Preventing and treating white-nose syndrome.