Rabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has been known since the early 1900s but continues to expand geographically and in the range of species and environments affected. In this review, we present current knowledge of the epidemiology and management of rabies in D. rotundus and argue that it can be reasonably considered an emerging public health threat. We identify knowledge gaps related to the landscape determinants of the bat reservoir, reduction in bites on humans and livestock, and social barriers to prevention. We discuss how new technologies including autonomously-spreading vaccines and reproductive suppressants targeting bats might manage both rabies and undesirable growth of D. rotundus populations. Finally, we highlight widespread under-reporting of human and animal mortality and the scarcity of studies that quantify the efficacy of control measures such as bat culling. Collaborations between researchers and managers will be crucial to implement the next generation of rabies management in Latin America.

中文翻译：

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确定新途径来应对拉丁美洲持续出现的蝙蝠狂犬病。


自 1900 年代初以来，人们就知道由普通吸血蝙蝠 ( Desmodus rotundus ) 传播的狂犬病，但受影响的地理范围、物种范围和环境仍在不断扩大。在这篇综述中，我们介绍了目前有关D. rotundus狂犬病流行病学和管理的知识，并认为可以合理地将其视为一种新出现的公共卫生威胁。我们确定了与蝙蝠水库景观决定因素、减少人类和牲畜叮咬以及预防的社会障碍相关的知识差距。我们讨论了新技术（包括针对蝙蝠的自主传播疫苗和生殖抑制剂）如何控制狂犬病和圆蝠种群的不良增长。最后，我们强调了人类和动物死亡率普遍存在的漏报现象，以及缺乏量化蝙蝠扑杀等控制措施有效性的研究。研究人员和管理人员之间的合作对于在拉丁美洲实施下一代狂犬病管理至关重要。