Rabies Warning Issued After Bat Infestation at Grand Teton’s Jackson Lake Lodge

Health officials are warning that hundreds of visitors to Grand Teton National Park may have been exposed to rabies following the discovery of a bat infestation inside one of the park’s most well-known landmarks.

The National Park Service confirmed that a colony of bats was found in late July in the attic above several rooms at Jackson Lake Lodge, a historic lodge that draws thousands of visitors each year. Officials say the possible rabies exposure occurred between May 5 and July 27.

Authorities are contacting lodge guests who may have been affected, including individuals from 38 states and seven different countries. Rabies is a rare but serious viral disease that can be transmitted through bat bites or saliva. Although human cases are extremely uncommon in the U.S., health experts stress that timely treatment is critical in preventing infection.

The Grand Teton Lodge Company, which operates the lodge, is working with the Park Service and public health agencies to provide guidance to potentially exposed visitors. Guests who stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge during the specified time frame are encouraged to seek immediate medical advice if they had any possible contact with bats or bat droppings.

Rabies exposure incidents are unusual in U.S. national parks, but wildlife officials note that bats are the leading source of rabies transmission in the country.

For more information, visitors are urged to contact the Grand Teton Lodge Company directly.

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