Map of Brazil

This is a realistic map. In no way it reflects prejudice or discrimination towards any group of people.

ATTACK OF THE GIANT MOSQUITOES

Huge mosquitoes that are twice the size of normal insects and bite through clothing have invaded some northeastern Peru cities.

The bloodthirsty insects have a wing-span of almost one inch and a vicious bite, leaving behind nasty wounds which can take days to heal. One woman says her bite has swollen to the size of a tea plate.

Meanwhile, health chiefs have announced that they are to start monitoring mosquitoes bites in Pucallpa and Iquitos again to find out if the eradication programme is working. They also warn that more people are reporting tick bites, which can lead to the potentially dangerous Lyme disease.

Local pharmacies say their supplies of bite cream are running out because people are desperate to ease the pain from insect bites.

A spokesperson for Iquitos city hospital, Meiol Neese, said: "I have been bitten on my elbow and the swelling is the size of a tea plate. It spreads half way down towards my wrist and half-way to my shoulder. It doesn't itch but is actually very painful."

The local authorities are advising the population to stay inside and keep doors and windows closed. Health officials also recommend to apply pineapple juice on arms and legs to prevent mosquitos bites.

Monkeyman mystery baffles the rainforest

Police in the brazilian city of Manaus are still on the trail of a mysterious creature which has allegedly attacked the city's residents.

The creature, which is described as part man, part monkey, has apparently struck in 65 locations and has led to the deaths of at least two people.
In the absence of solid fact, and fuelled by intense media attention and lurid descriptions, the "man-monkey" has spread panic in parts of the city.

Marcius Mallous, the deputy commissioner of police, said on Thursday: "Eighteen people have been injured since last night. We cannot yet say who, or what, is causing these attacks, but everything is possible in the Amazon region".

Nocturnal beast

The attacks have taken place at night, and have targeted people sleeping on the roofs of their houses to escape the tropical heat and the frequent attack of ground snakes.

Patrols have been stepped up in areas where the creature has been sighted, with police manning rooftops. But their job has been made harder with the wildly varying descriptions of the creature. It is said to be anything between a tiny man to a tall beast - some say with metal claws and a long tail.

"It looks like a monkey and has green lights as eyes and springs on its feet. It has a huge metallic silver hand and a long tail that glows in the dark" said an eyewitness.

These attacks are frightening the citizens and disturbing the region´s tourism industry. Kofi Quaiq, the secretary of the amazonian department of tourism, confirm that many foreign visitors are leaving the city: "I can understand their afraid, but we can´t afford to lose more visitors to other brazilian tourist cities, like Rio de Janeiro."

How to Prevent or Survive a Monkey Attack

Watch the monkeys carefully.

Whether in the remote forests of Brazil or in the backyard of some exotic animal dealer, you may encounter a monkey. To avoid bodily injury to yourself or to the monkey, read on for tips on how to protect yourself from any "unwanted" contact. Remember, monkeys have a unique muscular structure, and can possess up to 4 times the strength of the average man because of the amount of lactic acid in their blood.


Tips

Be careful of piercings. Enough said.

Never, ever show your teeth. To a monkey, a big toothy grin means a challenge. He will definitely attack you.

Avoid eye contact as this is a threat as well. Try to focus on their hands or the poo about to be thrown in your direction.

Keep your distance. It takes a long time for a monkey to trust you enough to let you get close--several weeks to months. Unless you are in a controlled situation, do not go near the monkey.

Do not underestimate a monkey's strength. They are stronger than you think. Science has shown that monkey's can be up to 4 times stronger than the average man.

Be the bigger primate. Don't yell, scream or sing to the monkey. Being aggressive will only get you attacked. You are the human, you have the frontal cortex, you can differentiate between right and wrong. So don't act like an idiot.

Long hair is dangerous. Tie it back or put it up when around monkeys.


Warnings

Monkeys are wild animals; they are dangerous and unpredictable.

If you don't feel safe, protect yourself in whatever way you can, even if it means killing the monkey.

Monkeys have been known to fling their feces. Try to wear goggles and appropriate clothing when in the vicinity.

Monkeys are your physical superior, don't forget that some monkeys can rip saplings out of the ground and use them to erect ranch style homes.