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Bat Disease Spreading At Mammoth Cave

Oregon Public Broadcasting

A fatal bat disease at Mammoth Cave National Park was first detected last year in remote areas of the cave system, now officials say it has spread to visitor passageways.  However, White Nose Syndrome cannot be contracted by humans. 

Rick Toomey is a scientist with the Resource Management Division and says measures are being taken to stop the fungus from leaving the park.

“Every visitor walks over a bio-control mat after their tour that will hopefully cleans their shoes off and keep them from potentially moving those fungal spores to someplace else,” said Toomey.

Of all of tour trails, the disease has been most noticed at the entrance to the Historic Cave tour.  Since it was first introduced in the U.S. in 2005, White Nose Syndrome has killed about seven million cave-dwelling bats.

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