Bats infect over 50 cows in Guerrero

Over 50 cows have died of bovine paralytic rabies transmitted by bats in the municipality of Ometepec, Guerrero , according to an alert issued by Pedro Torres, president of the local Livestock Breeders' Association.

Mr. Torres explained there are two types of bats: fruit bats , which as the name says, feed on fruits; and vampire bats , which feed on the blood of cattle and are carriers of several diseases, including rabies.

This disease is caused by a virus which can be carried by animals such as dogs, cats, bats, skunks, and raccoons, and if humans come in contact with infected saliva from these animals – most commonly through bites or scratches – they can get infected with the virus, which attacks the nervous system.

Given the severity of the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Feeding ( SAGARPA ) has distributed six thousand vaccines for livestock across several communities of Ometepec, such as El Tamarindo, La Libertad, and Charco de la Puerta.

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