Why is the Forest Service prohibiting access to caves and mines in the Eastern Region?
Cave and mine access restrictions are necessary for two reasons. The primary reason is to slow-the-spread of WNS. While WNS is transmitted through bat-to-bat interaction inside caves and mines, there is also strong evidence that suggests the fungus can be transported inadvertently from site-to-site on footwear, clothing, and gear of cave visitors. One way fungi reproduce is through the production of spores. These reproductive structures are small and not easily seen by the naked eye. They are lightweight and can become airborn when released. A visitor to an infected cave or mine could stir up spores and never know they were now carrying the spores to another site. Spores are designed specifically to withstand conditions otherwise unsuitable to the fungus (hot and dry) and to flourish once returned to suitable growing conditions in another cave or mine.
