(St. Paul, MN) — A disease that kills bats has been confirmed in the state. The DNR says white-nose syndrome (WNS) has been discovered in bats at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park in northeastern Minnesota. Several hundred bats were found dead near the main entrance to the mine in January and testing later confirmed WNS. The disease is named for the fuzzy white growth of fungus on infected bats. WNS is not known to pose a threat to humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife.