A Lethal Epidemic (IMAGE) Brown University Caption White nose syndrome is a fungal infection that damages collagen in bats. In less than a decade, more than 6 million bats in North America have died from the syndrome. Credit Photo: Ryan von Linden/N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.