A fungus that’s devastated bat populations across much of North America over the past two decades has arrived in Oregon.

Staff at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday they haven’t seen infected bats in this state yet. But the white-nose syndrome fungus was recently found in bat poop – known as guano – at a bus stop at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park near Astoria.

White-nose syndrome isn’t dangerous to people, but we can spread it if the fungus gets on our shoes or clothes. And it kills many species of hibernating bats, in part by causing them to wake up too often and burn critical fat reserves so that they die of hunger and dehydration before winter is over.

Wildlife officials are asking people to take extra precautions if they enter any caves or mines, or if they hike in any areas where bats might roost.

Bats play an important - but often invisible - role in maintaining ecosystems and supporting agriculture, according to a state Fish & Wildlife assessment. They eat so many bugs that they save U.S. farmers billions of dollars in pesticide costs each year, the agency says.

The fungus was also recently found in three bats at Washington’s San Juan Island National Historical Park. Although white-nose syndrome has been in Washington since at least 2016, this is the first time it’s been found in that part of the state.

Now numerous federal agencies have joined an effort to monitor for the fungus and try to prevent its spread, including the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Parks Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management.

Since the fungus was found in New York in the winter of 2006-2007, it has spread to at least 40 states and has killed 90% or more of several bat populations in the country, wiping out some populations completely.

According to scientists working to slow the spread of the fungus, people who’ve been in areas where bats roost should remove sediment and dirt from their shoes, clothes and other gear. They should also change into clean gear – and wash their hands.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/19/bat-killing-fungus-white-nose-syndrome-oregon/