(Sacramento, CA) — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has detected the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome in Sacramento-area bats for the first time. A Western red bat from Sutter County tested positive on May 9th.

While no visible signs of the disease have been reported, officials warn it could impact local bat populations crucial for agricultural pest control, valued at three-point-seven-billion-dollars annually.

Residents are urged not to handle bats and report any unusual activity.