Health authorities in Uttar Pradesh carried out a large-scale vaccination drive last week after a community meal sparked fears of a potential rabies outbreak. The incident occurred in Piprauli village, located in the state's Budaun district.
Mass Vaccination Drive in Budaun Village
Nearly 200 residents of Piprauli village received precautionary anti-rabies shots following a distressing chain of events. The scare began when attendees at a funeral consumed a yoghurt dish, known as raita, which was prepared using milk from a local buffalo.
Unbeknownst to the villagers, the buffalo had been bitten by a dog. The animal fell ill and eventually died on 26 December, just three days after the funeral meal. News agency PTI reported the initial details, which prompted immediate action from the health department.
Swift Official Response and Community Fear
Alarmed by the buffalo's death and the potential link to rabies, terrified villagers rushed to the Ujhani Health Centre seeking protection. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Rameshwar Mishra confirmed on Sunday that the buffalo had displayed symptoms consistent with rabies before its demise.
In a statement emphasizing caution, Dr Mishra said, "Prevention is better than cure. Everyone who had any doubts was given the anti-rabies vaccine. Normally, there is no risk of rabies after boiling the milk, but the vaccination was done to prevent any potential risk."
Health officials, taking no chances, advised everyone who had consumed the tainted food to get vaccinated. To facilitate this, medical centres remained open through the weekend, including Saturday and Sunday, ensuring immediate treatment for all who came forward.
Containing the Situation and a Related Tragedy
The health department has reported that no illness has spread so far and the situation in the village is now stable. The CMO added that officials are closely monitoring the area to prevent the spread of false rumours and unnecessary panic.
One villager, Dharmpal, recounted the events, explaining that the community decided to get vaccinated as a safety measure once they learned the raita was made from the milk of the buffalo that died from a dog bite.
This incident highlights the persistent threat of rabies in India. In a separate and tragic case, a six-year-old girl from Thane, Maharashtra, died in December, over a month after being bitten by a street dog. Despite receiving the full course of anti-rabies injections on schedule, Nisha Shinde's condition deteriorated suddenly after her final vaccine dose, showcasing the virus's deadly and unpredictable nature.
