A fungus that is potentially fatal to bats has been found in five California counties this year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said on Tuesday. According to the agency, the fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, causes white-nose syndrome in bats and has been found in Humboldt, Sutter, Placer, Amador, and Inyo counties. The fungus is also suspected to be in Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Plumas, Alpine, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties, though lab tests have been inconclusive. California gets an official state bat The CDFW said that despite the presence of the fungus, no bats in the state have yet been found to have developed the related disease. However, the presence of the fungus suggests the disease could manifest in California bats in the next few years, as has been observed in other states. According to the agency, white-nose syndrome "invades the skin cells of bats, resulting in damage to delicate wing membranes" and often causes them to end their hibernation early while their water sources and insect prey are still scarce, often resulting in their death. 4 German Shepherd puppies shot after owner incarcerated in Northern California, sheriff says According to the CDFW, various types of bats have been found in the presence of the fungus, including little brown myotises, Yuma myotises, long-legged myotises, big brown bats, Mexican free-tailed bats and, for the first time, Western red bats. The CDFW said the disease does not infect humans or other animals. However, the agency warned that humans can spread the fungus via spores carried on clothing, shoes and equipment. The agency is asking residents to report any incidents of bats behaving strangely such as flying or roosting outside during the winter