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Wednesday, 5 April, 2000, 13:44 GMT 14:44 UK
Mexican bats cause rabies outbreak
![]() Bats are known carriers of disease
Thousands of cattle in Mexico have died of rabies after attacks by vampire bats.
Officials estimate that up to 3,000 cattle died of the disease in the first three months of the year in Chiapas state, southern Mexico.
There have also been reports of bats attacking people.
Vampire bats feed on the blood of of mammals and birds. They usually bite cattle, and occasionally humans. Their bite wounds are not serious but may carry diseases such as rabies. Disease spreading Ms Herrara said the disease has spread through Chiapas since 1987 as the bats have migrated. "The outbreak is very grave," she said. "[The authorities] did not take precautionary measures, and there is a delay in the distribution of vaccines by health authorities," she said. She said the bats need to be eradicated in the areas where they live, such as caves.
Government officials, however, said the rabies outbreak was under control.
But ranchers said the government was not doing enough to help them "It's shocking," said cowboy Manuel Perez. "We have never faced a situation so grave," he said.
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