The deadly bat fungus, White Nose Syndrome, continues to spread throughout the Northeast.

WNS is not only taking a toll on the bat population. It’s also affecting areas that rely on tourism from cavers, such as Pendleton County in West Virginia.

Liz Warner of the county's Chamber of Commerce says that more than 25 percent of people calling or visiting the chamber ask about caving.

"Caving, climbing, hiking, top three I would say," says Warner.

Because of the speed at which WNS is spreading, many of the caves across the state and the nation are closed to cavers.

Warner has to tell cavers that many caves in the county are now closed, which keeps the tourists away.

"At places where cavers typically stay, campgrounds, their March and April numbers were about half of what they would typically see this time of year," says Warner.

The impact can be seen just by a lack of parked cars along the road.

"Where we're standing right now, Trout Rock Cave, there are three caves right here," says Warner. "And typically this time of year, this little patch of gravel, it would be lined cars, out-of-state plates, visiting the county to go caving. So there's definitely an impact."

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to close thousands of caves and former mines throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and 31 other states. They could stay closed for up to a year.