I don't know where the myth originated, but I've seen movies and shows or read stories with people being infected and turning into werewolves just by being scratched or bitten. I suppose that, like real wolves, they wouldn't be opposed to eating people if they had to or had the desire to.
I suppose that, like vampires or mermaids or big foot, the legend of werewolves isn't localized. People all around the world have similar legends, their monsters may have different names, but still be relatively the same.