Since 2006, when White Nose Syndrome was discovered in a New York cave, the disease has quickly spread through colony-hibernating bat species in eastern North America—and even some populations in the west. This deadly fungus has already killed at least 5.7 million bats in 31 states and five Canadian provinces. 
While researchers have sought a solution to the fungus, they haven’t found a magic bullet, yet. But a new study raises hope that there could be a relatively simple solution. As Elaina Zachos at National Geographic reports, new research suggests that the White Nose Syndrome fungus is vulnerable to short bursts of ultraviolet light.
The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (PD), has evolved to thrive in cool temperatures (between 39 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit) and dark environments—like in bat caves, according to a press release. It doesn’t kill the creatures directly. Instead, it grows on the wings, ears and snouts of hibernating bats, irritating the creatures and causing them to wake during the winter.
Bats have just enough fat stored in their tiny bodies to make it through the cold months by hibernating. But each time they rouse, they waste energy and burn too much fat, which leaves them too exhausted to survive through spring.
The disease came from Eurasia, where bat species have evolved to cope