Hundreds of Grand Teton lodge guests may have been exposed to rabies

A bat colony inside Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park may have exposed at least 200 guests to rabies. Wyoming public health officials are tracking down visitors from 38 states and seven countries who stayed in the lodge between May 15 and July 27.

Public health officials are also notifying lodge staff, according to Wyoming Public Media. However, officials believe guests are at a higher risk.

The 70-year-old lodge has cordoned off eight rooms beneath an attic where bats had created a colony, according to the National Park Service. The discovery came after eight bat-related incidents were reported since June. 

“Although there were a lot of people exposed in this incident, one positive about this is that we know who 100% of those people are,” said Travis Riddell, director of the Teton County Public Health Department. “People in the community in general don’t need to be concerned about this particular incident.”

Tests have yet to reveal positive rabies results

According to The Associated Press, officials sent some of the dead bats to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for tests. As of Friday, no bats found in impacted rooms had tested positive for rabies.

The park service stated that fewer than 1% of bats carry rabies. It advised visitors to follow its recommendations to minimize their risk of exposure.

Park officials encourage people to avoid touching or petting wildlife and to report any unusual behavior among animals. They also say people should contact the local health department or a park ranger if bitten or scratched by an animal. If scratched or bitten, wash the area immediately with warm water and soap for 15 minutes.

Rabies is often deadly if caught too late

Health officials say that rabies symptoms can sometimes take months to manifest. They are contacting guests to determine if they need to take any preventative measures. Once symptoms appear, it is likely too late for treatment, and the disease proves fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another notable case

This marks the first mass exposure to bats at the park since 2017, according to Wyoming Public Radio. That year, 13 people received preemptive treatment when officials discovered a bat colony at a research facility in the park. 

“Prior to 2017, rabies in Teton County was practically unheard of. Since then, rabies in bats has been confirmed almost annually,” the Teton County Public Health Department said in a statement.