Complex sentence: The problem of bat-transmitted rabies is found over most of North and South America but it was first closely studied in Trinidad in the West Indies which had a known reputation for bat rabies, which took a significant toll of livestock and humans alike.
Split into simpler sentences: The problem of bat-transmitted rabies is found over most of North and South America but it was first closely studied in Trinidad in the West Indies. This island had a known reputation for bat rabies, which took a significant toll of livestock and humans alike.