Birmingham, AL – Wildlife officials say a disease that already has killed more than 5.5 million bats in eastern North America has now been detected in a cavern in northeast Alabama.
The announcement made Wednesday by federal and state experts means the illness called white-nose syndrome has made its furthest incursion yet into the South.
White-nose syndrome was first detected in New York state in 2006. Officials say it was discovered in Russell Case in Jackson County on March 1, marking its first appearance in Alabama.
The disease doesn't pose a threat to humans, livestock or pets. But officials say the bat die-off is expensive because the winged mammals save farmers $3 billion annually by eating insects.
White-nose syndrome has now been confirmed in a total of 17 states and four Canadian provinces.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)