NSS 2008 Convention

White Nose Syndrome Alert

PLEASE bring CLEAN caving gear to Florida!

By now most US cavers have heard of the so-called White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats, that the problem thus far seems restricted to the Northeast USA, and that all NSS-owned caves in that region are closed for the winter. We have been in communication with bat researchers in Canada who are staying out of their own hibernacula for the winter, so we do not yet know what the WNS situation is in Canada. The purpose of this web page is to alert convention attendees of our concerns about WNS in Florida and to convey our recommendations vis-a-vis the potential for spreading WNS to the Southeastern USA.

Bats with visible WNS
Photo: Al Hicks, New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation

The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has a web page that discusses what WNS is, what cavers can do to help, precautions to prevent the possible spread of WNS, containment and decontamination procedures if you have been exposed to the affliction, and various videos and press releases. We strongly advise all cavers to become familiar with this web site:

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

Of particular note to cavers, USFWS has the following to say:

“The Service applauds the caving community’s strong conservation ethic and long-time support of bat conservation efforts, and we ask for your continued cooperation and assistance as we address white–nose syndrome. We request that cavers observe all cave closures and advisories and avoid caves or passages of caves containing large hibernating populations of any bat species. The Service discourages cavers or caving groups from systematically searching for bats with white–nose syndrome in caves or mines. Note that not all affected bats have fungus that is easily visible.

“You should not handle bats. If you come across live or dead bats with white–nose syndrome, contact your state wildlife agency or a nearby U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office.

“We ask that you take the following precautions to prevent the possible spread of WNS ("cave" includes all caves, fissures, mines, portals, etc.):

Observe all cave closures and advisories in all states. Some states have instituted closures and issued advisories beyond normal permanent and seasonal closures. New York has closed all infected sites. New York, Vermont and New Jersey have advised all individuals to stay out of all caves with bats. Other states have instituted, or are considering instituting, closures of caves with bats and/or advisories to stay out of caves with bats. On this Web page, we will provide information about state closures and advisories of which we are aware. Just prior to caving, check this Web page for updated closures and advisories. If this Web page does not include closure information from a state in which you plan to go caving, contact that state's wildlife agency to obtain the latest information on cave access. Before caving in another country, check with the country's wildlife agency for information on cave access.
Upon exiting a cave, whether inhabitated by bats or not, in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and adjacent states (New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), follow the containment and decontamination procedures below. Decontaminate all clothing, footwear, and gear prior to departing for a caving outing if you did not decontaminate these items after last exiting a cave. In these states, we ask that you not take gear into a cave if that gear cannot be decontaminated or disposed of (e.g., if harnesses, ropes or webbing cannot be decontaminated, we advise that you not enter caves or parts of caves requiring use of this gear and not take this gear into the cave).
Because clothing, footwear and gear used in accessing a cave in New York, Vermont or Massachusetts within the past 2 years could pose a risk of spreading WNS, the Service advises that these items not be used when accessing caves anywhere and that these items not be transported until the cause of WNS is identified and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures can be evaluated. We advise that you decontaminate these items immediately (see decontamination procedures below) and store them away, and that you thoroughly wash and decontaminate any surfaces with which these items may have come into contact (e.g., car trunk).

Containment and Decontamination Procedures

“The Service asks that cavers follow these procedures for containment and decontamination in the circumstances identified above. Prior to each caving outing, check this Web page for updates to these procedures.

When you exit the cave, scrape or brush off any dirt and mud from your clothes, boots and gear. When you get to your vehicle, remove your clothing, boots and gear, put them in a plastic/garbage bag, and seal the bag closed to prevent contamination of the vehicle's interior and trunk (and subsequent re-contamination of your gear). Remember to bring extra clothes for the drive home.
Wash your caving clothes using hot water, detergent and bleach. Dry the clothes thoroughly at hot temperatures.
Wash your boots thoroughly with detergent. Then soak the boots in a 10 percent bleach solution (1 part chlorine bleach: 9 parts water). Soak porous boots longer than nonporous boots.
Wash your gear thoroughly with detergent and then soak the gear in a 10 percent bleach solution.
Dry items in sunlight if possible.”

We have not yet observed any evidence of WNS in Florida. Our commonest bat species found in Florida caves are the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus). These species do not hibernate in Florida, and will exit caves on warm nights except during the dead of winter when insects are essentially absent. They are easily disturbed and thus should be avoided.

White Nose Syndrome News and Recommendations from the NSS

Peter Youngbaer has established a web page on the NSS web site incorporating news and links about white nose syndrome, plus a letter to NSS members about what the NSS is trying to accomplish:

http://www.caves.org/committee/conservation/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm

Please do not take any chances with WNS. Please bring CLEAN caving gear when you come to the NSS 2008 Convention in Florida.

On behalf of all Florida bats, we thank you.

-The NSS 2008 Convention Staff

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		White Nose Syndrome Alert PLEASE bring CLEAN caving gear to Florida! By now most US cavers have heard of the so-called White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats, that the problem thus far seems restricted to the Northeast USA, and that all NSS-owned caves in that region are closed for the winter. We have been in communication with bat researchers in Canada who are staying out of their own hibernacula for the winter, so we do not yet know what the WNS situation is in Canada. The purpose of this web page is to alert convention attendees of our concerns about WNS in Florida and to convey our recommendations vis-a-vis the potential for spreading WNS to the Southeastern USA. Bats with visible WNS Photo: Al Hicks, New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has a web page that discusses what WNS is, what cavers can do to help, precautions to prevent the possible spread of WNS, containment and decontamination procedures if you have been exposed to the affliction, and various videos and press releases. We strongly advise all cavers to become familiar with this web site: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html Of particular note to cavers, USFWS has the following to say: “The Service applauds the caving community’s strong conservation ethic and long-time support of bat conservation efforts, and we ask for your continued cooperation and assistance as we address white–nose syndrome. We request that cavers observe all cave closures and advisories and avoid caves or passages of caves containing large hibernating populations of any bat species. The Service discourages cavers or caving groups from systematically searching for bats with white–nose syndrome in caves or mines. Note that not all affected bats have fungus that is easily visible. “You should not handle bats. If you come across live or dead bats with white–nose syndrome, contact your state wildlife agency or a nearby U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office. “We ask that you take the following precautions to prevent the possible spread of WNS ("cave" includes all caves, fissures, mines, portals, etc.): Observe all cave closures and advisories in all states. Some states have instituted closures and issued advisories beyond normal permanent and seasonal closures. New York has closed all infected sites. New York, Vermont and New Jersey have advised all individuals to stay out of all caves with bats. Other states have instituted, or are considering instituting, closures of caves with bats and/or advisories to stay out of caves with bats. On this Web page, we will provide information about state closures and advisories of which we are aware. Just prior to caving, check this Web page for updated closures and advisories. If this Web page does not include closure information from a state in which you plan to go caving, contact that state's wildlife agency to obtain the latest information on cave access. Before caving in another country, check with the country's wildlife agency for information on cave access. Upon exiting a cave, whether inhabitated by bats or not, in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and adjacent states (New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), follow the containment and decontamination procedures below. Decontaminate all clothing, footwear, and gear prior to departing for a caving outing if you did not decontaminate these items after last exiting a cave. In these states, we ask that you not take gear into a cave if that gear cannot be decontaminated or disposed of (e.g., if harnesses, ropes or webbing cannot be decontaminated, we advise that you not enter caves or parts of caves requiring use of this gear and not take this gear into the cave). Because clothing, footwear and gear used in accessing a cave in New York, Vermont or Massachusetts within the past 2 years could pose a risk of spreading WNS, the Service advises that these items not be used when accessing caves anywhere and that these items not be transported until the cause of WNS is identified and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures can be evaluated. We advise that you decontaminate these items immediately (see decontamination procedures below) and store them away, and that you thoroughly wash and decontaminate any surfaces with which these items may have come into contact (e.g., car trunk). Containment and Decontamination Procedures “The Service asks that cavers follow these procedures for containment and decontamination in the circumstances identified above. Prior to each caving outing, check this Web page for updates to these procedures. When you exit the cave, scrape or brush off any dirt and mud from your clothes, boots and gear. When you get to your vehicle, remove your clothing, boots and gear, put them in a plastic/garbage bag, and seal the bag closed to prevent contamination of the vehicle's interior and trunk (and subsequent re-contamination of your gear). Remember to bring extra clothes for the drive home. Wash your caving clothes using hot water, detergent and bleach. Dry the clothes thoroughly at hot temperatures. Wash your boots thoroughly with detergent. Then soak the boots in a 10 percent bleach solution (1 part chlorine bleach: 9 parts water). Soak porous boots longer than nonporous boots. Wash your gear thoroughly with detergent and then soak the gear in a 10 percent bleach solution. Dry items in sunlight if possible.” We have not yet observed any evidence of WNS in Florida. Our commonest bat species found in Florida caves are the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus). These species do not hibernate in Florida, and will exit caves on warm nights except during the dead of winter when insects are essentially absent. They are easily disturbed and thus should be avoided. White Nose Syndrome News and Recommendations from the NSS Peter Youngbaer has established a web page on the NSS web site incorporating news and links about white nose syndrome, plus a letter to NSS members about what the NSS is trying to accomplish: http://www.caves.org/committee/conservation/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm Please do not take any chances with WNS. Please bring CLEAN caving gear when you come to the NSS 2008 Convention in Florida. On behalf of all Florida bats, we thank you. -The NSS 2008 Convention Staff