Around 450 people in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district have received anti-rabies vaccinations as a precaution after consuming charanamrit prepared from the milk of a cow suspected of having rabies, health officials said. The incident centres on Dadi Khas village in the Gola block of Gorakhpur, where the cow's milk had been used to prepare the religious offering distributed during Durga Puja.

Source: YThisNews

According to the cow's owner, Navami Yadav, the animal had appeared unwell for a day or two before its condition deteriorated on Tuesday. Private veterinarians Bechan Singh and Hardev Yadav, and a doctor at the Dadi Khas veterinary hospital, suspected the cow might have been bitten by a stray dog. The animal began behaving abnormally, including making barking sounds, and died on Tuesday evening. Officials have not confirmed that the cow was infected with rabies.

Source: HealthAndMe

The cow's milk had also been supplied to two local shops and several households, widening concern beyond Dadi Khas to neighbouring Govindpur village. As news of the animal's death spread, residents who had consumed the charanamrit began approaching the local community health centre (CHC) for vaccination.

Source: The New Indian Express

Around 50 people received anti-rabies shots at the CHC on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Health Department organised a vaccination camp in Dadi Khas village, where a team led by pharmacist Siddharth Singh administered vaccines to around 400 more people, taking the two-day total to approximately 450. Gorakhpur Deputy CMO Rajesh Kumar said the people were afraid, which drove the large turnout for the precautionary shots.

450people vaccinated over two days, as a precaution
~50vaccinated at the community health centre on Tuesday
~400vaccinated at the Dadi Khas village camp on Wednesday
2villages affected — Dadi Khas and Govindpur, Gola block

Health officials have been careful to underline that the rabies link remains suspected, not proven. A veterinarian posted at Dadi said rabies transmission through milk alone is not an established route and that symptoms alone cannot confirm the disease — laboratory testing is required for a definitive diagnosis. He advised anyone who may have had contact with the animal's saliva or other infectious material to seek post-exposure vaccination without delay.

CHC in-charge Amarendra Thakur said the health department is maintaining vaccine availability at the centre so that anyone still concerned can come forward, and he urged residents to boil milk thoroughly before drinking it and to avoid consuming raw milk.

What is solid

  • Around 450 people in Dadi Khas and Govindpur villages, Gorakhpur district, received precautionary anti-rabies vaccinations over Tuesday and Wednesday (YThisNews; HealthAndMe; The New Indian Express).
  • The cow died on Tuesday evening after abnormal behaviour; veterinarians suspected a stray dog bite (YThisNews; HealthAndMe).
  • About 50 people were vaccinated at the CHC on Tuesday and about 400 more at a village camp on Wednesday led by pharmacist Siddharth Singh (HealthAndMe).

What is only claimed

  • Whether the cow actually had rabies is NOT confirmed — officials say it is only suspected, and a veterinarian noted transmission through milk is not an established route and that laboratory testing would be needed for confirmation.