The number of Peruvians attacked by rabid vampires has reached 3.5 thousand people
In mid-August, 500 attacks were reported; four of the bitten children died of the infection. To date, another child has been the victim of rabies.
Vampires, or vampire bats, feed by biting through their skin and licking off blood. Usually the source of their food is large wild animals or livestock, but in some cases, especially when there is a lack of food, these bats can attack people.
It is assumed that their more frequent attacks in recent years are associated with the abnormally low air temperature for this time of year. It was also believed that they are due to the deforestation of the Amazonian forests and the reduction of natural sources of food.
All of the vampire attacks on Peruvians this year have occurred in the remote Amazonas region near the border with Ecuador. Almost all of those bitten belong to the indigenous Avahun and Wampis tribes.
The center of the epidemic is difficult to reach because of the mountains and the selva, which complicates the delivery of medicines. Nevertheless, medical teams sent there by the country's Ministry of Health have already vaccinated at least 900 people with rabies. However, many Indians refuse to vaccinate, which contributes to the increase in the epidemic.