Bat Colony Discovered in Lodge Attic Raises Rabies Concerns
A bat colony discovered in attic spaces above guest rooms at Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyomings Grand Teton National Park has potentially exposed up to 500 visitors to rabies . Authorities are contacting guests for risk assessment and preventive treatment .
JACKSON LAKE LODGE Grand Teton National Park Aug 2025 – Park and health officials are grappling with a potential public health scare after discovering a bat colony in the attic above several guest rooms at Jackson Lake Lodge . The discovery has triggered widespread efforts to notify and protect visitors who may have been exposed to rabies .
Extent of Possible Exposure
The colony was located above cabins numbered 516 518 520 522 524 526 528 and 530 . Officials believe the bats were present between May 5 and July 27 2025 . During that time an estimated 500 guests stayed in those rooms . Visitors came from 38 US states and seven foreign countries raising concerns about the broad scope of potential exposure .
Also Read : Chris Martin Addresses Kiss Cam Debacle & Why Coldplay Is Keeping the Jumbotron Tradition
Testing Results and Uncertainty
So far none of the bats that were captured and tested have shown signs of rabies . However only a small fraction of the colony was evaluated and many bats went untested . That leaves officials uncertain about the full extent of the threat .
Brown bats common in Wyoming and known carriers of rabies often gather in colonies of 30 to 100 individuals . Because bat bites can be tiny and painless exposure sometimes goes unnoticed—especially if a person was asleep during the encounter . This makes careful monitoring and preventive care essential .
Rapid Response and Preventive Measures
Authorities have launched a large scale response effort involving the Wyoming Department of Health the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC the National Park Service and the Grand Teton Lodge Company .
Together they are contacting potentially exposed guests directly or through local health agencies . Risk assessments are being conducted on a case by case basis and individuals who meet certain criteria are being urged to undergo rabies post exposure treatment .
High risk groups include children too young to communicate bat encounters deep sleepers who may not have noticed contact and anyone who observed bats inside their cabin .
The treatment involves a series of five rabies vaccine shots given over two weeks . When administered quickly after potential exposure the vaccine regimen is highly effective in preventing the disease .
Cabins Closed Extermination Avoided
The affected cabins were closed on July 27 and there are no immediate plans to reopen them . Officials stress that there is no ongoing threat to public safety at the lodge as long as the closures and safety measures remain in place .
Importantly the park has chosen a non lethal approach to managing the bats . Instead of extermination exclusion devices are being installed to prevent bats from re entering attics or cabins while allowing them to leave safely . This approach balances public safety with conservation as bats play an important ecological role in controlling insect populations .
Rabies Risk and Wildlife Hazards
Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear in humans . Because of this prevention is critical . The disease is transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals and bats are the most common source of rabies exposure in the United States .
Park officials are using this incident as a reminder to visitors never handle wildlife report unusual animal behavior immediately and seek medical attention if there is any possibility of exposure .
What Visitors Should Do
- Anyone who stayed in cabins 516–530 between May 5 and July 27 2025 should .
- Contact the Grand Teton Lodge Company immediately if they have not already been notified .
- Seek medical evaluation to determine if rabies post exposure vaccination is necessary .
- Remember that early action is lifesaving Rabies vaccines are highly effective when administered quickly but ineffective once symptoms develop .
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location Jackson Lake Lodge Grand Teton National Park Wyoming .
- Timeline May 5–July 27 2025 .
- Estimated Guests Exposed Up to 500 from 38 states and 7 countries .
- Affected Rooms Cabins 516 518 520 522 524 526 528 530 .
- Testing Results No bats tested positive but limited sample size .
- Actions Taken Guest contact medical assessments vaccination offers .
- Current Status Cabins closed exclusion devices in place no extermination .
- Health Advisory Rabies nearly always fatal post symptom vaccines effective if given promptly .
This incident highlights both the unpredictability of wildlife encounters in national parks and the swift collaboration required between local state and federal agencies to safeguard public health .