Story perspectives

White-Nose Syndrome Boosts County Bond Premiums, Costs $33K

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

White-nose syndrome raised county borrowing risk premiums by 0.1147 percentage points, a 27% increase.
The premium adds $33,000 to a 15-year, $1 million municipal bond.
If bats are infected, a comparable rural bond loses $14,000 in value.
The syndrome caused $420 million in 2017 agricultural losses and prevented 33 million rootworm larvae through a 150-bat colony.
Counties lose $150 per person ($2.7 million per county) as pesticide use from $1 billion spending raises health risks.

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Story summary

White-nose syndrome raised county borrowing risk premiums by 0.1147 percentage points, a 27% increase.
The premium adds $33,000 to a 15-year, $1 million municipal bond.
If bats are infected, a comparable rural bond loses $14,000 in value.
The syndrome caused $420 million in 2017 agricultural losses and prevented 33 million rootworm larvae through a 150-bat colony.
Counties lose $150 per person ($2.7 million per county) as pesticide use from $1 billion spending raises health risks.