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Health Authorities in Amazonas reported today [6 Jan 2010] that 7 children have died in the district of Nieva, presumably of a bat-related rabies outbreak. The disease has been found in several specimens of bats that live in the area, and all the victims showed the typical symptoms of rabies. However, the doctors have not been able to perform any autopsy to confirm the cause of these deaths due to cultural issues, since the natives consider that would be an insult. Elias Bohorquez Medina, Amazonas Health Director, explained that Nieva, located in the province of Condorcanqui, is the home of Awajun and Wampis indigenous peoples, but also has many species of bats. Bohorquez explained that the apus (chief tribe leaders) are convincing their people to allow vaccination to prevent the disease.
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Health Authorities in Amazonas reported today [6 Jan 2010] that 7 children have died in the district of Nieva, presumably of a bat-related rabies outbreak. The disease has been found in several specimens of bats that live in the area, and all the victims showed the typical symptoms of rabies. However, the doctors have not been able to perform any autopsy to confirm the cause of these deaths due to cultural issues, since the natives consider that would be an insult. Elias Bohorquez Medina, Amazonas Health Director, explained that Nieva, located in the province of Condorcanqui, is the home of Awajun and Wampis indigenous peoples, but also has many species of bats. Bohorquez explained that the apus (chief tribe leaders) are convincing their people to allow vaccination to prevent the disease.