Rabies scare in Jagtial after villagers consume milk from infected buffalo

Villagers in Vempeta of Metpally Rural mandal panicked after a buffalo was reportedly infected with rabies. Medical officials organised a camp and administered anti-rabies vaccines to 20 people, assuring that boiled milk does not transmit the virus.

Jagtial: People who consumed milk from a buffalo are worried after the animal was reportedly infected with rabies. The incident took place in Vempeta village of Metpally Rural mandal.

According to villagers, the buffalo was bitten by a stray dog a few days ago. The owner took the animal to a veterinary doctor, who confirmed that it was infected with rabies. Though there were reports that the buffalo had died, this has not been officially confirmed.

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After learning about the incident, villagers who had consumed the buffalo’s milk panicked and rushed to consult doctors. Apart from supplying milk to a local milk collection centre, the buffalo’s milk was also distributed to a few families in the village.

On learning about the incident, Medical and Health department officials organised a medical camp in the village on Tuesday and administered anti-rabies vaccines to 20 people as a precautionary measure.

Clarifying the issue, Metpally Mandal Medical Officer Anji Reddy said that people who had consumed the buffalo’s milk need not worry, as the rabies virus does not survive after milk is boiled. However, anti-rabies vaccines were administered as a precaution.