LIMA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Seven Peruvian children have died of rabies after being bitten by bats in the northern rainforest of Peru, local media reported Wednesday.

    "Apparently, the victims had all the rabies symptoms such as photophobia, hydrophobia, body tension, excessive salivation and spasms," Elias Bohorquez, the regional health director of the northern province of Amazon, was quoted by the newspaper Peru 21 as saying.

    Bohorquez said the confirmation of medical diagnosis had been delayed because the indigenous people rejected autopsies.

    "The confirmation must be done through an autopsy of the victims' brains, but the natives consider it an insult," the official said.

    The tragedy happened in the native community of Kigkis, home to important ethnic groups such as the Awajun and Wampis, who usually built their huts with trunks and branches.

    The shabby huts often leave the inhabitants exposed to bat attacks at night, especially in summer.

    The regional health authorities said they had persuaded the native chief "Apus" to launch a campaign against the spreading rabies epidemic and the growing number of vampires.