Convened by Sasan Fereidouni

The group was established at AC 27 in Sarajevo (2022)

The following tasks were identified for the IWG, with the possibility of adding other tasks in the future:

• Collection of data on real pathogens of bats including parasites, viruses, bacteria, and fungi;

• Special work on White Nose disease in Europe and collection of data on eco-immunological factors that make the fungi less pathogenic in Europe compared to the United States;

• Special work and recommendation on Rabies in European bats, and newly emerged strains such as the Caucasian strain;

• Recommendation on how to handle bats to reduce the potential for pathogen transmission among individual bats and bat colonies;

• Recommendation and guideline for bat pathogens monitoring studies without a need to kill bats or in some studies to even capture bats;

• Comparison of guidelines for handling bats during Covid-19 pandemic and generating an updated version based on the four years’ experience with the pandemic;

• Collection of data regarding immunology and health parameters studies in bats;

• Organisation of seasonal online meetings.