Plague Spreading Through Bats

A mysterious plague has been killing off bats in alarming numbers. First discovered in 2007 "white nose syndrome" has spread from Albany, New York into nineteen states and three provinces.

The disease has been named for the white that begins to cover the bats face, ears, and wings. The fungus then begins to eat through the membranes of the wings, tail, and ears. As it spreads through each bat, it appears to mess with their mental stability and instincts.

So far it is estimated that 5.5 million bats have been lost to the plague. Nothing has yet been effective in stopping it's spread.

This is of grave concern as bats have an important role in the food chain. Just one million bats eats at least 540 tons of insects a year. Many of those insects will now survive to eat more crops, gardens, and trees; upsetting the balance even more.