Saturday, August 9, 2008

Rabies from bats suspected in Venezuela deaths

In this photo released by UC Berkeley anthropologist Charles Briggs on Aug. 7, 2008, a Warao Indian grieves over the body of Elbia Rivas, who died from an unidentified illness, in Barraquitas, Venezuela, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008. An unidentified illness has killed at least 38 Warao Indians in remote villages in Venezuela, according to indigenous leaders and researchers who have alerted authorities and say more studies are urgently needed. The symptoms of illness include fever, body pains, tingling in the feet followed by partial paralysis and an extreme fear of water.(AP Photo/Charles Briggs)
AP - Fri Aug 8, 11:37 PM ET

CARACAS, Venezuela - At least 38 Warao Indians have died in remote villages in Venezuela, and medical experts suspect an outbreak of rabies spread by bites from vampire bats.

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