Rabies Alert: Possible Exposure in Wyoming Cabins
Health officials are currently reaching out to hundreds of individuals across numerous states and several countries. They may have been exposed to rabies in cabins at Grand Teton National Park, which have been affected by bat infestations over recent months.
As of Friday, testing showed that none of the bats from several cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge had rabies. However, Dr. Alexia Harrist, the Wyoming State Health Officer, mentioned that the few deceased bats examined were likely just a small fraction of the many that might have settled in the attic above these cabins.
Some bats were removed from the premises, but most remained hidden in the attic and didn’t make it into living areas. Given this, health officials decided it was best to inform anyone who has stayed there recently about the potential risk of bites or scratches, particularly since such incidents can go unnoticed during sleep.
“We’re really concerned about individuals who might have seen bats in their accommodations or had any direct interaction with them,” Harrist explained.
The cabins have been closed since July 27 when the bat issue was identified by the Grand Teton Lodge Company. Bats often carry the rabies virus, which is almost always deadly in humans once symptoms manifest, like muscle pain or vomiting.
On a more reassuring note, Harrist emphasized that a series of five preventive shots taken within two weeks after possible exposure is very effective at preventing the disease.
After a winter closure, the cabins opened for the summer season in May, hosting approximately 250 reservations by late July. This led health officials to estimate that as many as 500 individuals may have stayed in these cabins.
Officials are trying to contact guests in 38 states and seven countries through local health agencies and the CDC for international visitors.
Those who haven’t yet been informed but have stayed in cabins numbered 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, or 530 this year should reach out to health authorities or consult a doctor, Harrist advised.
Health officials recommend preventive shots for certain individuals, particularly deep sleepers who encountered a bat in their room and young children who may not have been able to communicate such experiences.
Currently, the Wyoming Department of Health does not have safety concerns regarding visitors at Jackson Lake Lodge, including for an economic policy symposium scheduled for August 21-23.
“The lodge company has effectively ensured the safety of all visitors this year,” remarked Emily Curren, Wyoming’s public health veterinarian.
So far, testing on “three or four” dead bats has returned negative results, with one damaged bat lacking sufficient brain tissue for testing. All the bats in question were brown bats, which can be categorized into two species, “little” and “big,” though their specific species remains unclear.
These bats typically roost in groups of 30 to 100, Curren noted. “There’s no way for us to determine the rabies risk from each bat that entered these cabins,” she added.
Finally, Grand Teton National Park spokesperson Emily Davis indicated that there are no plans to eliminate the bats, as preventative devices are already in place to keep them from reentering the cabins after hunting for insects.
