Deadly bat disease spreads to Illinois

Two laboratories confirmed the presence of the fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday. The disease, fatal to several bat species, was found in bats from four counties: LaSalle in north-central Illinois, Monroe in southwestern Illinois and Hardin and Pope in the far southern part of the state.

Researchers are especially concerned about the disease because bats play a crucial role in the environment, devouring huge quantities of agricultural pests, which likely saves that industry billions of dollars a year in the U.S., said Joe Kath, endangered species manager for the department.

"Although its arrival was anticipated, the documented spread of WNS into Illinois is discouraging news, mainly because there is no known way to prevent or stop this disease in its tracks," Kath said.

White-nose syndrome is not known to affect people, pets or livestock. The name of the disease refers to the white fungal growth found on the noses of infected bats.

The disease has now been detected in 20 states, most of them in the eastern U.S., as well as five Canadian provinces. White-nose syndrome spreads rapidly and has the potential to infect half of the bat species in North America, the department said.