Nearly 200 U.P. villagers get rabies shots after consuming curd from buffalo that died after dog bite

By Admin

30 Dec, 2025

A wave of precautionary healthcare measures was witnessed in Piprauli village of Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district after nearly 200 residents received anti-rabies vaccinations. The move came after villagers learned that a curd-based dish they had consumed during a funeral ceremony was prepared using milk from a buffalo that later died after being bitten by a dog suspected to be rabid.

Incident During Funeral Ceremony

According to villagers, a funeral ceremony was held in Piprauli on December 23, where attendees were served ‘raita’, a common dish made from curd. A few days later, it emerged that the milk used for the raita came from a buffalo that had been bitten by a dog several days prior to the event.

The buffalo reportedly fell ill after the dog bite and died on December 26. Once this information surfaced, panic spread among the villagers over the possibility of rabies infection.

Villagers Rush for Vaccination

Following the incident, nearly 200 residents reached the Ujhani Community Health Centre and received anti-rabies injections as a preventive measure. The health authorities acted swiftly to ensure that everyone who felt at risk was vaccinated without delay.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Rameshwar Mishra confirmed that the administration was informed about the buffalo being bitten by a rabid dog and showing symptoms consistent with rabies before its death. It was also reported that villagers had consumed raita believed to be ‘infected’, prompting health officials to advise vaccination as a precaution.

Health Department’s Clarification

Dr Mishra emphasized that “prevention is better than cure” and assured that normally there is no risk of rabies transmission after boiling milk. However, considering the concerns and doubts among villagers, anti-rabies vaccines were administered to avoid any potential risk.

He further stated that no disease has spread in the village so far and that the situation remains completely normal. To ensure uninterrupted healthcare access, the Ujhani Community Health Centre and nearby primary health facilities were kept open on both Saturday and Sunday.

Continuous Monitoring to Prevent Panic

The Chief Medical Officer also confirmed that the village is under continuous monitoring to prevent the spread of rumours or unnecessary panic. Anyone approaching the health centre for vaccination was immediately given the injection.

Sharing his experience, villager Dharmpal said that fear of infection arose once it was known that the buffalo bitten by a dog had died and its milk was used to prepare the raita. As a result, villagers decided to take no chances and opted for vaccination.

Situation Under Control

According to the health department, there is no cause for alarm. No symptoms of rabies or any other disease have been reported among villagers, and the situation is fully under control. Authorities continue to reassure residents while maintaining vigilance as a precautionary step.