Bat fungus found in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A fungus associated with a disease that’s killed millions of bats in the United States has been found in eastern Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said Tuesday that the disease known as white-nose syndrome has not been found – but the fungus was found in three tri-colored bats in a privately owned cave in Delaware County. Oklahoma is the westernmost state where fungus has been found and is the third state where the fungus is confirmed, but the disease is not present.

The fungus thrives in cold, humid environments and invades the skin of bats. White-nose syndrome disrupts the bats’ hibernating behavior, resulting in depletion of their fat stores.

There are no known human health risks associated with white-nose syndrome.