Invasion Dynamics of White-Nose Syndrome Fungus, Midwestern United States, 2012–2014

Abstract

White-nose syndrome has devastated bat populations in eastern North America. In Midwestern United States, prevalence increased quickly in the first year of invasion (2012–13) but with low population declines. In the second year (2013–14), environmental contamination led to earlier infection and high population declines. Interventions must be implemented before or soon after fungal invasion to prevent population collapse.

Keywords

• emerging infectious disease
• fungal disease
• invasive species
• Myotis lucifugus
• disease invasion
• environmental reservoir