A group of 15 boys have contracted the rabies virus disease after raping an infected donkey in a rural area in Morocco.

The actual number of infected children is feared to be higher as many families took their children to be treated at hospitals outside of Sidi Al Kamel to avoid embarrassment.

Police are now appealing to anyone else who “approached” or “admired” the donkey in order to stop the spread of disease.

The innocent donkey has now been put down on the orders of police to limit the further spread of disease.

Families and relatives of the youngsters, from a small tribal group, are said to be in “distress and horror” following the incident, according to Morocco World News.

The boys stayed at Mechraa Belksiri Hospital for a week to receive a rabies vaccination.

They were mocked throughout the small town in the north-western region of Gharb-Chrarda-Béni Hssen following the incident.

Parents in the small town are said to be having their children vaccinated in case they approached the donkey.

Rabies is usually caught from the bite or scratch of an infected animal.

The viral disease causes inflammation of the brain in humans and animals and early symptoms include fever and tingling at the site of exposure.

It is found across the world, particularly in Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

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