The B.C. government is preparing for the arrival of a deadly fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America.

Humans cannot catch the disease, commonly referred to as white-nose syndrome (WNS). But the infection has devastated bat populations in Eastern Canada and the United States. It was first detected in Washington State in March 2016, and B.C. officials have warned it could soon appear in British Columbia.

“White Nose Syndrome was first discovered in eastern New York in 2006, and has killed over six million bats in 28 states and five Canadian provinces since then,” reads an April 14 government information bulletin. “Some bat species are now listed as at risk or endangered in certain regions. Since bats play a crucial role in providing essential pest control for farmers, foresters and city residents, a reduction in their population could lead to significant ecological and economic impacts.”

The province has launched an awareness campaign ahead of Earth Day, which is today (April 22).

For last year’s Earth Day, the Straight ran a package of articles that presented an in-depth picture of species at risk of extinction in British Columbia. One of those stories focused on B.C. bats and the likely arrival of white-nose syndrome.

Interviewed for that article, Juliet Craig, coordinating biologist for the Kootenay Community Bat Project, warned bats could be one of the next animals we’ll see rise to the top B.C.’s list of endangered species.

“Many people don’t know that over half of the species of bats in B.C. are considered at risk,” she told the Straight.

Today, it is primarily habitat loss that’s adversely affecting bats, Craig said. But, similar to the situations of North American amphibians and B.C. sea stars, a disease has rapidly emerged as the greatest threat faced by bat populations across the continent.

Craig said B.C. conservationists were waiting for the imminent arrival of the fungus, which scientists identified as Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

“At this point, we are looking at a ‘when it gets here’ more than an ‘if it gets here’ scenario,” she emphasized.

At the time of that interview, white-nose syndrome had still not appeared within several hundred kilometres of British Columbia. One year later, the disease is on the province’s doorstep.

The government’s information bulletin asks B.C. residents to watch for the disease and report “unusual bat activity” by calling 855-9BC-BATS (855-922-2287). The disease is sometimes identifiable by a white fuzzy growth that appears around a bat’s nose. It can also cause the nocturnal animals to fly during the day. People are also asked to report any bodies they find of dead or dying bats. Bats can carry rabies, and so it’s advised people do not touch the animals.