Woman in Delhi NCR Dies of Rabies After Drinking Milk from Infected Cow: Important Facts to Know

A Shocking Incident in Greater Noida

In a shocking incident, a woman from Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, died of rabies after consuming milk from a cow that had been infected by a stray dog. Despite the fact that other people in the area sought rabies vaccination, the woman did not take precautions. A few days after drinking the milk, she developed symptoms. Unfortunately, she was turned away from multiple hospitals and eventually died.

Can Rabies Spread Through Milk?

According to a report by ICAR, “Milk of rabid animals (cows and buffaloes) has the rabies virus. If such milk is consumed without boiling, there is a risk.” The report categorizes “Person drinking unboiled milk” as category 1 based on the risk of rabies. Other incidents in this category include getting licked by an infected animal, getting licked on intact mucous membranes, and getting bitten without blood.

• The rabies virus infects the brain.
• Once the rabies virus reaches the brain and symptoms begin to show, it is virtually untreatable and usually fatal within days.

Symptoms of Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the nervous system, usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The symptoms can take weeks to months to appear, but once they do, the disease is almost always fatal.

• In the beginning, rabies symptoms can seem mild and flu-like, including fever, headache, weakness, and general discomfort.
• Some people may feel itching, tingling, or burning near the bite wound, which is an early warning sign.
• As the virus spreads to the brain, neurological symptoms appear, including anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, aggression, and difficulty swallowing.
• One of the most well-known signs is hydrophobia (fear of water), where swallowing becomes painful, causing excessive drooling.
• Some people develop paralysis or become extremely restless.
• In the last phase, the infection leads to coma, respiratory failure, and ultimately death.

Once symptoms appear, rabies has no cure, which is why immediate vaccination after a bite is crucial.