450 People Get Anti-Rabies Vaccines in Gorakhpur After Cow Suspected of Rabies Dies

Gorakhpur, Oct 22 : Around 450 people were administered anti-rabies vaccines in Dari village of Gorakhpur district after concerns arose over the consumption of prasad prepared from the milk of a cow suspected to have contracted rabies after being bitten by a dog.

The incident occurred during Durga Puja celebrations in the Gola area. According to villagers, the cow had been bitten by a dog. On October 19, the animal stopped eating and drinking and began drooling. Its owner took it to the Government Veterinary Hospital in Dari, where veterinary doctor Ziaul Siddiqui suspected rabies based on the symptoms. Despite treatment, the cow died. The animal was buried on Tuesday, and no post-mortem examination was conducted.

The Navayuvak Mangal Dal Committee had organised Durga Puja by installing an idol at Dari intersection. According to committee president Sudhanshu Ranjan, milk was brought from a villager's house on Saptami and used to prepare prasad. Some of the milk was also distributed to tea shops at the intersection.

Following the cow's death, villagers became concerned about possible exposure to rabies. Committee chairman Sudhanshu Ranjan, village head Asha Devi and other villagers submitted a request to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gola for a vaccination camp.

As part of the response, 50 people received anti-rabies vaccines on Tuesday, while another 400 were vaccinated at a camp held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The vaccination team was led by pharmacist Siddharth Singh and included Community Health Officer Rajesh Yadav and pharmacists Ankita, Priyanka and Arshad.

CHC in-charge Dr Amarendra Thakur urged anyone who might have been exposed to the suspected infection to seek medical advice and complete the prescribed vaccination schedule. He also advised people to avoid consuming raw milk and to boil milk thoroughly before use.

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer of Gola, Dr Shiv Prakash Maurya, said facilities were available at the veterinary hospital to vaccinate pet dogs, but arrangements to capture and vaccinate stray dogs were currently unavailable. He advised livestock owners to contact the Gola veterinary hospital immediately if their animals showed unusual symptoms.

Gola Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manish Kumar said the CHC in-charge had been instructed to ensure vaccination for those at risk. He added that vaccination camps were being organised in the village and urged potentially exposed people to get vaccinated.