Salamanders and newts face a catastrophic disease threat from Bsal (salamander chytrid fungus), which has caused mass mortality in Europe and threatens to devastate North American populations.
Bsal causes severe skin erosion resulting in electrolyte imbalance and death in susceptible salamander species. Affected animals show skin lesions, lethargy, and writhing behavior suggesting significant pain before death. The disease spreads rapidly through wild populations once established. Fire salamanders in Belgium and Netherlands have experienced catastrophic declines. Biosecurity measures preventing the introduction of Bsal to North America are critically important. Import regulations on Asian salamanders and testing requirements can reduce the risk of introduction. The global salamander trade has already caused one continental-scale disease crisis and could easily cause another.