Health officials are sounding the alarm after hundreds of people may have been exposed to rabies while staying in bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The potentially affected visitors reportedly came from 38 states and seven countries, according to Wyoming Public Media, which noted that employees were also being contacted over possible exposure.
Grand Teton National Park staff are collaborating with the National Park Service, the Wyoming Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company to address potential guest exposures to bats in the Jackson Lake Lodge. Grand Teton National Park spokesperson Emily Davis told Fox News Digital that the Wyoming Department of Health is leading the response, contacting individuals who stayed in the affected rooms between May 15 and July 27 to assess their risk criteria for rabies prevention treatment.
The bat-infested cabins were found at Jackson Lake Lodge and may have impacted at least 200 guests, according to Wyoming Public Media. The lodge is described as a ‘cottage-style hotel rooms,’ and after eight reports of bat encounters since June, the cabins were closed on July 27. However, Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist told the Associated Press that the bats tested represented only a small sample of what could be dozens colonizing the attic.
The state health department emphasized that the primary concern is people who saw bats in their rooms or may have had direct contact with them. Rabies vaccines are administered in a series and can cost up to $16,000, as reported by the Jackson Hole News & Guide. The CDC notes that bats are the primary animals reported with rabies in the U.S., and they are the leading cause of rabies-related deaths nationally. The CDC also warns against touching bats and recommends seeking medical attention if contact is suspected.
While no bats tested from the cabins have confirmed rabies cases, officials remain vigilant about the potential risk posed by untested colonies in the premises. Health authorities are working to ensure that all individuals at risk receive appropriate medical care and preventive treatment. The situation has raised awareness about the dangers of rabies and the importance of taking precautions when interacting with wildlife, particularly bats, in natural or tourist areas.