JACKSON, Wyo. — Ever woken up in the same room as a bat?

In Jackson Hole, the boundary between the natural environment and human infrastructure is often porous. This month, a series of bat sightings inside Grand Teton National Park’s (GTNP) Jackson Lake Lodge prompted a renewed local focus on rabies awareness. Health officials are contacting upwards of 200 guests who might have experienced bat encounters during their stay, recommending medical attention to those at higher risks.

While the bats from the lodge that have been tested for rabies reportedly tested negative, vigilance is still advised. GTNP shared the following pointers on its dedicated rabies website:

How to reduce the risk of a rabies infection in GTNP:

  • Watch wildlife from a distance. Do not touch or pet wild animals.
  • Alert a park ranger, campground host or lodge representative immediately if you see aggressive, sick or unusual behavior in an animal.
  • Call the local health department or contact a park ranger if you are attacked, bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal.
  • If you’ve been bitten or scratched, immediately wash the bite or scratch for 15 minutes with warm water and soap.

Unusual bat behaviors that could indicate rabies include:

  • A bat that is active during the day.
  • A bat that is crawling on the ground and does not fly away or is easily approached.
  • A bat that is confused, acting aggressively or flying in a strange or jerky way.

If you have a bat in your room or your tent:

  • Do not approach or try to capture a bat.
  • Leave the room immediately and contact a park ranger, campground host or lodge representative. Don’t sleep in your room or tent with a bat — it can increase your risk of potential rabies exposure.
  • Do not let the bat fly out of your room. Trained personnel will catch the bat so it can be sent for rabies testing.
  • If you had contact with a bat or slept in the presence of a bat, contact a park ranger, campground host or lodge representative immediately.
  • A public health professional will contact you to discuss your exposure to the bat and assess your risk. Based on your risk or potential rabies exposure, the public health professional may recommend rabies treatment.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million Americans receive rabies-related medical care from local or state health departments every year. The CDC suggests following these steps for capturing a bat inside of a dwelling:

  1. Find a container like a box or jar large enough for the bat to fit in.
  2. Locate a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening.
  3. Punch small air holes in the cardboard.
  4. Put on leather work gloves.
  5. When the bat lands, approach it slowly and put the container over it.
  6. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
  7. Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside.
  8. Contact your local health department to have the bat tested for rabies and determine if you need medical care from being in contact with the bat.

Dr. Alexia Harrist with the Wyoming Department of Health told Buckrail that rabies exposure from bats is “low,” but that the health department has recommended a post-exposure prophylaxis regimen, which can include a series of vaccines, for contacted hotel guests who were identified as being higher risk. Rabies can be fatal if left untreated.

Anyone who has stayed at the lodge this summer suspecting a potential bat interaction is encouraged to contact RoomsGTLC@vailresorts.com or (307) 543-3044.

Marianne is the Editor of Buckrail. She handles breaking news and reports on a little bit of everything. She's interested in the diversity of our community, arts/entertainment and crazy weather.