Unboiled milk from infected animals can spread rabies: Experts

Anantnag, Jul 29: Consuming raw milk from rabies-infected dairy animals poses a serious health threat, experts cautioned during an awareness workshop held at Govt Medical College (GMC) Anantnag.

“Drinking unboiled milk from an infected cow, buffalo, or goat significantly increases the risk of rabies,” said Dr Rouf Hussain Rather, Assistant Professor at GMC Anantnag. “Even contact with such milk through an open wound while milking can result in transmission. In both cases, immediate post-exposure vaccination is essential.”

Dr Rather was speaking at a day-long workshop on rabies awareness, anti-rabies vaccination, immunoglobulin use, and post-exposure protocols, held at the GMC campus in Dialgam.

He also flagged a sharp rise in cat bite cases in Kashmir, attributing it to the increasing trend of domestic pet ownership. “Cat bites and scratches now account for nearly 50 percent of all animal bite cases, on par with dog bites,” he said.

“Rabies is 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, making prevention through timely vaccination the only effective defence,” Dr Rather emphasised.

Experts also referred to a recent case involving a 22-year-old Kabaddi player from Uttar Pradesh, Brijesh Solanki, who reportedly died of rabies weeks after rescuing and being bitten by a stray puppy.

Other speakers included Dr Tajali Shora, Assistant Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine, and Dr Showkat Shefa Shaeda, Head of Paediatrics and Neonatology at GMC Anantnag.

The workshop was held under the direction of Principal Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, following a spike in animal bite cases reported at GMC’s Janglatmandi hospital. It was attended by MBBS students, junior and senior residents, ARV staff, and MOT paramedics.