"Kentucky Becomes 16th State To Report Fatal Bat Disease"

"A fatal bat disease has been confirmed in Kentucky for the first time, state and federal officials said Wednesday.

White-nose syndrome was confirmed in a little brown bat from a cave in Trigg County in Western Kentucky, about 30 miles southeast of Paducah.

The disease was first detected in New York state in 2006 and has killed more than 1 million cave-dwelling bats in eastern North America. With confirmation of the disease in Kentucky, 16 states and three Canadian provinces have now been affected."

Greg Kocher reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader April 13, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Bat Disease, White-Nose Syndrome, May Increase U.S. Farm Pesticide Use: Study " (Huffington Post)

Press Release: "New Study Highlights Importance of Ecosystem Services Provided by Bats" (Boston Univ./Newswise)

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader, 04/14/2011