At least eight children in Ecuador's Amazon basin region have died after being bitten by rabid bats, officials said Saturday.

"So far the deaths of eight children have been confirmed," Health Minister David Chiriboga said in a statement after meeting with President Rafael Correa.

The deaths have been reported since November 17 in isolated indigenous communities in Morona Santiago province.

Correa said authorities were trying to convince the local people "not to fear modern medicine" because they turned to traditional healers instead of doctors after the children were bitten.

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(c) 2011 AFP