A colony of bats has taken up residence at Jackson Lake Lodge, where the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome H. Powell, will deliver a policy speech next week. The lodge, which is hosting an exclusive gathering of central bankers and economic policymakers, has had to deal with the unexpected arrival of the bats.
The bats are believed to have entered through a small hole on the roof of one of the cabins and spread to seven other rooms through a connected attic space. Seven of the eight bats were captured and screened for rabies, all testing negative. One bat was set free by a guest.
The Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have notified hundreds of people who stayed in the affected rooms from May 15 to July 27. While there is no immediate threat to the public, the National Park Service has advised against reopening the shuttered cabins until further notice.
Lodge staff and conference organizers have repaired potential vulnerabilities and provided information for guests on what to do if they come into contact with a bat. The lodge’s security team will dispatch personnel to catch any spotted bats, which will be held for 24 hours before being released or tested for rabies.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/business/federal-reserve-jerome-powell-jackson-hole-bats.html