Hundreds of people may have been exposed to rabies after a suspected bat colony was discovered inside a lodge in Grand Teton National Park in recent months, national park and state health officials warned.
The bat colony was found over the past few months in cabins at the Jackson Lake Lodge, a popular eco-hotel and historic landmark located in Grand Teton National Park, according to the National Park Service. The agency has issued a notice for people who were guests at the lodge between May 5 and July 27.
Since June 2, the National Park Service said the Grand Teton Lodge Company — the concessionaire that operates the Jackson Lake Lodge — has received eight reports involving overnight guests who may have been exposed to bats in their rooms. Further investigation revealed that the colony was nesting in an attic space above those eight guest rooms.
The rooms were closed as a precaution while public health officials investigate and provide recommendations for mitigation, according to the National Park Service. The agency noted that there was no immediate threat to the public.
"Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are leading the effort to coordinate with the affected guests' local public health officials, who will conduct rabies risk assessments," the agency added.
