Fungus targeting bats has been found in Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A fungus that has killed millions of bats across the eastern U.S. has landed in western Missouri. The Kansas City Star reported bats afflicted with "white nose syndrome" were found last winter in east-central Missouri, and before that the virus was found among bats in Missouri caves near the Mississippi River. Tony Elliott, with the Missouri Conservation Department, said the fungus was found recently among three tri-colored bats in a limestone quarry in Jackson County. Officials aren't identifying the location to prevent curious people from visiting the site and spreading the fungus.

White-nose syndrome doesn't infect people, pets or livestock, but it's estimated to have killed more than 5 million cave-dwelling bats nationwide since 2006.

Elliott said there haven't been any confirmed bat deaths from the disease in Missouri.