CTVNEWS

Bat disease makes its way to Nova Scotia

The Canadian Press Published Monday, April 18, 2011 11:18AM EDT

FILE--A Little brown bat with white-nose syndrome is shown in Greeley Mine, Vermont, March 26, 2009. Scientists are scrambling to find a way to stop the mysterious killer fungus which has decimated some bat colonies and stoked fears of an impact on crops the food chain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Marvin Moriarty

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HALIFAX - Disease lethal to insect eating bats makes its way to Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia government wants people to stay out of caves and old mine works that might house bats to try and stop the spread of a disease that's lethal to the province's little brown bat population.

Wildlife officials are expressing concern about the discovery of the disease in the bats.

Nova Scotia is the fourth province to confirm cases of white-nose syndrome, a fungus that leaves a white ring around a bat's nose, ears or wings.

Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker says staying out of caves and old mines limits the chances of cross-contamination.

The disease poses no risk to humans and was also discovered in New Brunswick last month.

Insect-eating bats help to control pests, including the spruce budworm, that are destructive to forests and agricultural crops.