Deadly and "devastating" fungal disease spreading among Colorado bats

• Nationwide, bats contribute $3 billion annually to the country's agricultural economy by eating insects, which spares crops from damage and cuts pesticide costs.

The latest: Two "little brown bats" in Boulder and Longmont tested positive for white-nose syndrome this month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Monday.

• That brings the total number that have been infected in the state to three, after the first-ever — an adult female Yuma bat at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in southeastern Colorado — was discovered last March.

Threat level: The findings indicate that additional bats have been exposed to the disease and are likely to be detected in the coming weeks, officials say.

• The syndrome is spread by bat-to-bat contact and from the animals coming into contact with cold, damp places where the fungus grows.

• The disease gets its name by the visible white fungal growth on bats' muzzles and wings.

The big picture: It has been documented in 40 states and eight Canadian provinces since first being detected in New York in 2006.

Wildlife officials recommend:

• Avoiding closed caves and mines, and not touching bats
• Reporting dead or sick bats to CPW by calling 303-291-7771 or emailing [email protected]
• Decontaminating footwear and all cave gear before and after touring caves and other places where they live