Bats and Health

What Diseases Affect Bat Populations?

White-nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and other areas of exposed skin of hibernating bats.

What Diseases Affect Humans?

Rabies

Although bats are rabies vectors, raccoons and foxes have a higher incidence of rabies than bats do. Still, many people fear bats more as a rabies vector, and the primary reason is because of misinformation or a lack of knowledge about bats.

Histoplasmosis

Inhaling histoplasmosis spores can cause an infection in the lungs. However many people that do inhale its spores do not get sick.