• Health officials warn hundreds of travelers may have been exposed to rabies in Grand Teton National Park cabins.
• Bat colonies discovered above Jackson Lake Lodge cabins prompted urgent outreach to visitors in 38 states and abroad.
• Authorities recommend post-exposure prophylaxis for at-risk individuals, citing rabies’ near-universal fatality once symptoms appear.

JACKSON, Wyo. (TDR) — A rabies scare at Grand Teton National Park has triggered an unprecedented health alert spanning 38 states and seven countries after officials discovered bat colonies inside eight cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge. While no bats have tested positive, health officers say the risk of exposure cannot be ruled out, and hundreds of visitors are being urged to seek medical guidance.

A Growing Rabies Concern

Officials estimate as many as 500 people may have lodged in the affected cabins — numbered 516 through 530 — between May and late July. Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist explained that although “three or four” dead bats tested negative, the population in the attic likely numbered in the dozens. Because rabies exposure can occur without obvious signs — especially through unnoticed scratches or bites while people sleep — officials opted for broad notification.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now assisting with outreach to foreign visitors, ensuring alerts extend beyond U.S. borders.

Preventing the Deadly Virus

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Rabies remains one of the deadliest viral diseases, with fatality rates approaching 100% once symptoms emerge. However, the five-shot vaccine regimen given shortly after exposure is nearly always effective. Harrist stressed the importance of erring on the side of caution, particularly for children, heavy sleepers, and anyone who reported a bat sighting inside their room.

“What we’re really concerned about is people who saw bats in their rooms and people who might have had direct contact,” Harrist said.

Cabins Closed, Investigation Ongoing

The Grand Teton Lodge Company, which manages the concession, closed the cabins on July 27 after staff discovered bats emerging from the attic. Officials confirmed there are no plans to reopen them this season. Devices have since been installed to allow bats to fly out but not return, a standard wildlife exclusion method.

Park spokesperson Emily Davis said extermination is not planned, consistent with federal conservation rules protecting bats. Instead, mitigation efforts aim to prevent future colonization.

Public Health Response

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Health agencies are working through guest registries, contacting travelers directly and coordinating with local providers to recommend testing or vaccination where warranted. The Wyoming Department of Health emphasized there is no broader risk at Jackson Lake Lodge or the surrounding park. Officials assured that upcoming events, including the prestigious Federal Reserve symposium scheduled for August, will be unaffected.

Wyoming’s public health veterinarian Emily Curren praised the lodge’s diligence, noting that guests outside the closed cabins remain safe. Still, she underscored the uncertainty: “There’s no way for us to know for certain about every single bat that got into these rooms.”

The Broader Lesson

Experts say the incident underscores the risks of human-wildlife overlap, particularly as bat populations seek shelter in manmade structures. With colonies of 30 to 100 individuals common in Wyoming, even a small breach can present public health challenges. Conservationists argue that balancing bat protection with human safety requires vigilance, given their ecological role in controlling insects.

For travelers, the takeaway is clear: report any suspected bat encounters promptly and consult providers about post-exposure prophylaxis without delay.

Will this rabies scare prompt stronger wildlife oversight in America’s national parks — or fade as just another summer headline?

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