Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Villagers Seek Rabies Shots After Cow's Milk Used in Puja
In a village in India, people are worried because they ate a special food made with milk from a cow.
This cow died because it was thought to have been bitten by a dog and got a sickness called rabies.
Doctors think rabies is very serious.
Because of this, many villagers went to get a shot to prevent getting rabies, even though no one is sick yet.
Doctors are holding a special meeting to talk to everyone and say not to worry too much.
They also say drinking milk from a cow with rabies probably doesn't cause the sickness, but they are not completely sure.
Residents of Ramdeeh village in Uttar Pradesh rushed for anti-rabies shots after consuming prasad made from the milk of a cow that died from a suspected dog bite.
The cow's milk was used in two puja ceremonies, causing panic among villagers who fear rabies exposure.
A special medical camp was set up to counsel and vaccinate nearly 150 residents who consumed the milk or prasad.
No villagers have shown symptoms of rabies, and a medical officer stated there is no evidence that drinking the milk of such a cow causes rabies, though it's not completely ruled out.
A veterinarian initially advised vaccination as a precaution due to suspected rabies in the cow, leading to the rush for shots despite a lack of definitive lab confirmation of the cow's diagnosis.
- Who
- Residents of Ramdeeh village, Uttar Pradesh
- What
- Rushed for anti-rabies shots after consuming prasad made from milk of a cow that died from a suspected dog bite.
- When
- Over the past four days (leading up to the reporting date); puja ceremonies on October 29 and November 2.
- Where
- Ramdeeh village, Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- Fear of rabies exposure due to consumption of milk from a cow diagnosed with suspected rabies, as advised by a veterinarian.
Villager Fears
Medical Assessment
Risk of Rabies Transmission
Villager Fears
Residents fear contracting rabies due to consuming prasad made from the milk of a cow that died from a suspected dog bite.
Medical Assessment
There is no definitive evidence that consuming milk from a cow bitten by a dog causes rabies, though it cannot be entirely ruled out.
Basis for Vaccination
Villager Fears
Villagers are seeking anti-rabies injections based on advice from a veterinarian who examined the cow and suggested vaccination as a precaution.
Medical Assessment
Medical officers state that while villagers are taking vaccines out of fear and following advice, no symptoms of rabies have been observed.
Cow's Diagnosis
Villager Fears
The cow died from a suspected dog bite, with a veterinarian and senior doctor confirming a likely rabies infection through video analysis.
Medical Assessment
There is no laboratory confirmation to definitively prove that the cow was suffering from rabies.
- Village Population
- About 3,000 people
- Number of Residents Vaccinated
- Nearly 150 (as of initial reports)
- Vaccination Status
- First dose of three required
- PHC Stock of Anti-Rabies Vaccines
- Substantial
- Cow's Reported Cause of Death
- Suspected dog bite leading to rabies
- Evidence of Milk Transmission
- No evidence, but not completely ruled out
