450 get anti-rabies vaccine after cow's death sparks concern in Gorakhpur villages

Around 450 people who consumed charanamrit prepared using milk from a cow suspected of having rabies have received anti-rabies vaccine in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district, officials said on Thursday.

The health department organised a vaccination camp in Dadi Khas village in Gola block on Wednesday after the cow died amid suspicions that it had been bitten by a stray dog.

Around 50 people received the vaccine at a community health centre (CHC) on Tuesday, while another 400 were vaccinated at Wednesday's camp, officials said.

The cow's milk had also been supplied to two shops and several households, triggering concern among residents of Dadi Khas and neighbouring Govindpur village.

The animal's owner, Navami Yadav, said the cow had appeared unwell for one or two days before its condition deteriorated on Tuesday. He consulted private veterinarians Bechan Singh and Hardev Yadav, along with a doctor at the Dadi Khas veterinary hospital.

The veterinarians suspected that the cow might have been bitten by a dog, Yadav said. The animal subsequently began behaving abnormally and barking before dying on Tuesday evening.

The incident prompted people who had consumed the charanamrit during Durga Puja to seek vaccination as a precaution.

A health department team led by pharmacist Siddharth Singh visited the village on Wednesday and administered vaccines at the camp. Arshad, Sonu Srivastava, Priyanka and Ankita were among the team members.

CHC in-charge Amarendra Thakur advised those concerned to consult medical professionals to determine whether vaccination was necessary and to follow the prescribed schedule. He said arrangements would be made at the health centre to ensure the timely availability of vaccines.

Thakur also advised residents to boil milk thoroughly before consumption and avoid drinking it raw.

Veterinarian Siddiqui, posted in Dadi, said the cow's symptoms raised suspicion of rabies, but symptoms alone could not confirm the disease. A veterinary assessment and appropriate testing were required to establish the cause, he said.

He added that drinking milk alone is not an established route of rabies transmission. However, anyone concerned about possible exposure to saliva or other potentially infectious material should promptly seek medical assessment to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is required.