Bat-Borne Rabies Kills More Than 2,000 Cattle in Mexico
PALENQUE, Mexico — Vampire bats preying on the cattle of southern Mexico have caused an outbreak of rabies that has killed thousands of the farm animals.
Ranchers and a veterinarian who coordinates several government animal health programs have criticized Chiapas state officials for failing to act quickly to control the problem.
“The outbreak is very grave. They did not take precautionary measures and there is a delay in the distribution of vaccines by health authorities,” said Yolanda Herrera, a veterinarian with the Mexico-U.S. Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
However, the chief of animal health for the state Ministry of Agriculture, David Lopez, said the rabies outbreak was under control.
Candido Lopez, spokesman for the Livestock Union of the Northern Region of Chiapas, said the outbreak began early this year in the impoverished state.
At least 2,300 cattle have died on 92 ranches in the first three months of the year, a spokesman for the regional department of livestock health said.
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