Now This Really Sucks...!

Do you believe in vampires...?

Well, here's one you can definitely believe in and stay away from! These things are ugly, especially up close! I've seen them in the Houston zoo, and I don't want to be around them at all!

Killer vampire bats attack 500 people

Rabid vampire bats have attacked more than 500 people in Peru's Amazon, leading to the deaths of four children.

The attacks occurred in the village of Urakusa, in northeastern Peru, where the indigenous Aguajun tribe lives. At least four people are believed to have succumbed to rabies as a result.

Medical supplies and vaccines to treat those infected with rabies have been sent to the tribe.

Rabies, a virus that causes acute inflammation of the brain, is usually spread to humans by dog bites and has an incubation period that can last several months.

Health teams are looking for people in communities within 6 miles (10 km) of the outbreak who were attacked by bats any time in the last six months.

Jose Bustamente, a Health Ministry official, said 97 percent of the 508 people who were bitten have begun receiving an anti-rabies vaccination. It is expected that the rest -- some of whom have rejected treatment -- will be vaccinated in the next few days.

I guess the main thing to remember here is that a lot of different animals can carry rabies, so please...PLEASE have all your pets vaccinated!

So now, my friends, let's have some coffee on the patio! Don't have to worry about bats around here...except the ones in my belfry!