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Uttarkashi: In a disturbing incident in the Arakot area of Uttarkashi district, villagers fell ill after drinking milk from a cow bitten by a mad (rabid) dog. The cow was attacked by a stray dog, and the next day its milk was consumed by several families. Soon, many of them started showing signs of illness, including fever, weakness, and nausea.
According to local reports, 18 villagers, including women and children, were among the affected. Realizing something was wrong, the families rushed to the Tyuni Primary Health Centre in the area. They are now reported to be recovering after being admitted to the PHC on October 2; however, they still feel scared after this incident.
Several doctors and health officials arrived to monitor their condition
There, they were given anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) and other immediate care. Several doctors and health officials arrived to monitor their condition and ensure no further harm. Dr. Narendra Rana, the in-charge medical officer at the health center, confirmed the incident. He said that all those who consumed the milk were being given the full anti-rabies treatment. He also asked other villagers who might have consumed that same milk to come forward for check-ups.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in hilly or rural regions. Because people often drink fresh cow’s milk at home, even small risk events can become serious. In many remote areas, stray dogs roam freely, raising the possibility of rabies attacks on livestock or humans.
Villagers say they were unaware that the cow’s milk could pass on danger
The local community is now uneasy and fearful. Villagers say they were unaware that the cow, once bitten, could pass danger through its milk. Many are demanding that the animal husbandry and health departments take immediate action—such as checking livestock regularly, vaccinating domestic animals against rabies, and controlling stray dog populations.
Mobile medical teams are being dispatched to nearby villages
In response to the incident, health officials have issued a notice to everyone who received milk from that cow or from neighboring homes to undergo medical evaluation. Mobile medical teams are being dispatched to nearby villages to screen and vaccinate any at-risk individuals. The district animal husbandry department has also been asked to examine the bitten cow, assess its condition, and test for rabies.
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal
According to the experts, rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, typically through a bite. While rare, rabies can also be transmitted by consuming unpasteurized milk from a rabid animal. Cows are considered "dead-end" hosts for rabies, meaning the disease is not usually passed to other animals. However, this incident shows that humans can still be infected by consuming contaminated milk.
Rabid cows may show behavioral changes, such as aggression or depression, and develop hindquarter weakness or excessive drooling. Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal within 7 to 10 days.
Villagers are also being educated about the symptoms of rabies
Public warnings have been broadcast: do not consume milk from animals that may have been bitten or affected by stray animals, and always boil milk before drinking. Villagers are also being educated about the symptoms of rabies—fear of water, difficulty swallowing, fear of light—and advised to seek medical help immediately if such signs appear.
People urge to routinely vaccinate all domestic cattle and to control stray dog populations
Local leaders and social workers are pressing for long-term solutions. They are urging authorities to routinely vaccinate all domestic cattle and to control stray dog populations through humane methods. There is also a call for establishing livestock health camps periodically in remote areas, so villagers can bring their animals for health check-ups.
Meanwhile, the affected people are being monitored closely. So far, their condition is reported as stable. But doctors say rabies is dangerous and late treatment can be fatal. That is why swift medical action was critical.
