Vampire Bats Eyed for Venezuela Deaths

[Squirrel Girl]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/ ... 4964.shtml
.
.
"The history and clinical signs are compatible with rabies," Rupprecht told The Associated Press on Friday. "Prevention is straightforward: Prevent bites and vaccinate those at risk of bites."

Venezuelan health officials are investigating the outbreak and plan to distribute mosquito nets to prevent bat bites and send a medical boat to provide treatment in remote villages on the Orinoco River delta, Indigenous Peoples Minister Nicia Maldonado told the state-run Bolivarian News Agency on Thursday.

Outbreaks of rabies spread by vampire bats are a problem in various tropical areas of South America, including Brazil and Peru, Rupprecht said.

He said researchers suspect that in some cases environmental degradation - including mining, logging or dam construction projects - may also be contributing to rabies outbreaks.

"Vampire bats are very adaptable," Rupprecht said. And when their roosts are disrupted or their normal prey grow scarce, "Homo sapiens is a pretty easy meal."
.
.

[Caver1402]

I thought bats with rabies were usually very ill animals and die sooner rather than later, hence making it unusual for them to pass on the rabies to humans. Is it different with vampire bats?