Grand Teton Rabies Exposure: Hundreds Potentially at Risk After Bat Encounter
Health officials are notifying hundreds of people across numerous states and countries who may have been exposed to rabies in bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park. While initial tests on bats found in the cabins came back negative, the potential for exposure remains due to the presence of many more bats. Officials are urging individuals who stayed in specific cabins this year to seek medical attention, particularly if they had contact with a bat. Prophylactic shots are recommended for those who meet certain criteria, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, although treatment is highly effective if administered soon after exposure.
John Q. Hosedrinker