The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has received reports since 2018 of bears with clinical signs of this skin disease across the northwestern part of the state. Pennsylvania researchers also have been studying the disease in that state.

Biologists are seeking more information about the disease including the mite that causes sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei). Collared bears will be tracked via GPS for movements and habitat selection, reproductive chronology of the bears impacted, and possible models of transmission or reservoir areas.

When bears are located and briefly sedated, researchers will be able to gather data along with skin cells that will or may have mites. Those samples will be sent to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia for further testing and genetic analysis.