Bat Colony Found in Grand Teton Lodge Sparks Rabies Concerns

Rabies Exposure Alert: Hundreds May Have Been Exposed After Bat Colony Found in Grand Teton Lodge

A potential rabies exposure event has been reported after a suspected bat colony was discovered inside a lodge located within Grand Teton National Park. Officials from the national park and state health departments have issued warnings, indicating that hundreds of people may have come into contact with the bats.

The bat colony was found over several months in cabins at the Jackson Lake Lodge, an eco-friendly hotel and historic landmark situated in Grand Teton National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a notice to individuals who stayed at the lodge between May 5 and July 27. Since June 2, the Grand Teton Lodge Company, which operates the Jackson Lake Lodge, has received eight reports from overnight guests who may have encountered bats in their rooms. Further investigation revealed that the bats were nesting in an attic space above these guest rooms.

As a precautionary measure, the affected rooms were closed while public health officials conducted investigations and provided recommendations for mitigation. According to the NPS, there was no immediate threat to the public. However, the Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are coordinating with local public health officials to assess the risk of rabies among those who may have been exposed.

State health officials are reaching out to guests for rabies risk assessments and will determine if they meet the criteria for preventive treatment. Those who qualify will be connected with appropriate healthcare providers in their home states for necessary treatment.

Guests are being urged to contact the Grand Teton Lodge Company to confirm if they stayed in any of the potentially affected rooms where the bats were found. Reports indicate that affected guests came from 38 states and seven countries. State and local health officials are working to track down individuals who may have been exposed, although workers at the hotel are considered to be at lower risk compared to guests.

According to the Associated Press, about 250 reservations for impacted rooms were recorded between May and July, with an estimated 500 people staying in the cabins during that time. Travis Riddell, director of the Teton County Public Health Department, stated that while many people were exposed, all of them can be accounted for, and the general community does not need to be concerned about this incident.

Some dead bats were discovered, but this is likely only a small sample of the entire colony. These bats were sent to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for examination. As of August 15, none of the bats found in the affected rooms had tested positive for rabies.

Bats play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of Grand Teton National Park by controlling insect populations, including mosquitoes. The most common species of bats found in the area include little brown bats, big brown bats, silver-haired bats, hoary bats, Yuma bats, long-legged bats, and long-eared bats. Other species, such as California myotis and western small-footed bats, have also been identified in the park.

The NPS advises visitors to follow guidelines to avoid exposure to rabies:

• Observe wildlife from a safe distance and do not touch or pet wild animals.
• Report any unusual animal behavior to a park official.
• Contact the local health department or a park ranger if attacked, bitten, or scratched by a wild or domestic animal.
• Wash any bite or scratch with warm water and soap for 15 minutes immediately.

This incident marks the first mass rabies exposure event in Teton County since 2017. In 2017, thirteen people were preemptively treated after a bat colony was found at AMK Ranch, a research facility in Grand Teton National Park. Prior to 2017, rabies in Teton County was practically unheard of, but it has been confirmed almost annually since then.

Rabies is a viral disease that can spread to humans and pets through the bites or scratches of an infected animal. While rare, rabies is fatal if left untreated. The CDC emphasizes that it is preventable through pre-exposure vaccination, regular pet vaccinations, and seeking medical care immediately after exposure. Symptoms can take weeks to months to appear, and bats are particularly concerning due to the small size of their bites and scratches, which may go unnoticed.

Despite its rarity, rabies exposure involving bats is taken very seriously due to the potential for severe outcomes. The NPS reminds visitors that while rabies in animals is uncommon, the consequences of exposure can be life-threatening.