A New Vaccine May Save the Bat Population

The bat population is being decimated by white-nose syndrome, a disease affecting hibernating bats. Named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and wings of hibernating bats, white-nose syndrome has caused the death of over 7 million bats since it was first documented in New York in the winter of 2006-2007. Now a new research study from the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center and others, found that an oral vaccination may reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats. 

White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd. The disease is spreading rapidly and there is no cure. This study marks a milestone in what has become an international fight against one of the most destructive wildlife diseases in modern times. According to USGS scientist Tonie Rocke who lead the study that developed the vaccines for the bats, “Our initial studies suggest that an effective vaccine could be a critical step towards conserving North America’s bat populations.” He went on to say that; “Insect-eating bats are incredibly valuable, saving the U.S. agricultural industry billions of dollars in pest control services every year.”

During the trials, scientists administered several vaccine formulas to east coast little brown bat prior to exposure to Pseudogymnoascus destructans and hibernation. They found that bats vaccinated orally or by injection survived at a higher rate than unimmunized bats. The bats also developed specific anti-fungal immune responses. Although work is still progressing to select the best vaccine candidates, the findings suggest that vaccination could potentially protect bats or reduce the effects of white-nose syndrome by providing them with immunity against Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

In the natural cave environments, vaccines could be applied to bats in a jelly-like substance that they would ingest as they groom themselves and each other. Bats would also transfer the vaccine-laden jelly to untreated bats. “These results represent an exciting step forward, not only for managing white-nose syndrome but for treating disease in wildlife,” said Jeremy Coleman, National White-Nose Syndrome Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Vaccine development is among multiple options the Service is funding to treat white-nose syndrome, but it is one that holds great promise for heavily affected bat species.”

White-nose syndrome is named for the fuzzy white appearance of Pseudogymnoascus destructans as it infects muzzles, ears and wings of hibernating bats. The disease is not known to affect humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife.