A health alert has been issued to hundreds of people who may have been exposed to rabies at a bat-infested cabin complex in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Eight cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge were linked to the potential exposure due to high bat activity.
While none of the bats tested positive for rabies as of Friday, officials are taking precautions to alert those who stayed in the affected cabins, particularly if they had direct contact with a bat or saw one in their room while sleeping. A five-shot prophylactic regimen can effectively prevent illness if administered soon after exposure.
The Wyoming State Health Department has reached out to health agencies in 38 states and seven countries to inform people of the potential exposure. Those who stayed in cabins 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, and 530 this year are advised to contact health officials or a doctor immediately.
Bat experts confirm that bats can carry rabies and that it’s almost always fatal in humans if symptoms occur. However, prompt medical treatment with a five-shot regimen can prevent illness. The cabins have been unoccupied since the issue was discovered on July 27, and no plans are being made to reopen them.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grand-teton-national-park-rabies-exposure-cabins-guests-wyoming