A bat-killing fungus is spreading in several eastern Washington counties.

Department of Fish and Wildlife scientists found the invasive fungus, called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, in Chelan, Mason and Yakima counties this year.

The fungus causes white-nose syndrome, a potentially deadly disease for bats, but it does not effect humans, livestock or other wildlife.

In 2016, the first case of white-nose syndrome in the western US was found in a little brown bat in King County and since then over 100 cases in four bat species across the state have been confirmed.

Washington State is home to 15 bat species that benefit humans by eating night-flying insects that can negatively impact crop yields and forest health.

Check out WDFW’s website to watch a video on safely handling sick bats.