Tragic Death of Noida Woman Sparks Debate on Rabies Spread Through Milk

A case reported recently in Greater Noida has caused serious alarm regarding the spread of rabies through milk. A woman died after reportedly consuming milk from a cow suffering from rabies. The cow was infected after a stray dog bit her but her family and the woman herself did not realize that the cow was infected.

The rare case has left many questions unanswered as to whether rabies can be transmitted through milk and what precautions are necessary to stay safe.

Is it possible for rabies to be contracted through milk?

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has submitted a report stating that milk from infected animals like cows and buffaloes carries the rabies virus. The ICAR classification places drinking raw milk from an animal that had rabies as a Category I exposure, joined by other exposures of low risk like licking a rabid animal or exposure to its saliva on intact mucous membranes or intact skin.

Nonetheless, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicates there is no laboratory or epidemiological data to support transmission of rabies by milk. PEP thus is not advised for the intake of milk or milk products from infected animals.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized previous accounts of potential exposure to rabies through unpasteurized milk. The CDC suggests that further study is required to establish how much active virus is contained in the milk and mammary tissue of rabid cows.

Precautions: How to Stay Safe

Until rabies transmission via milk is absolutely established, experts concur that the best policy is to drink only pasteurized milk and milk products. Pasteurization destroys any possible viral threat.

To minimize the risk:

• Boil or pasteurize milk before drinking it.

• Vaccinate family pets to avoid rabies infection.

• Avoid direct contact with animals that are acting strangely.

• Get immediate medical care if you are exposed to a possibly rabid animal. ^[2,3]

About the Greater Noida Rabies Case

Last month in Greater Noida, a woman unknowingly consumed milk from a rabies-infected cow. The cow had contracted rabies from a stray dog, but the family remained unaware of the infection.

Even after the cow began to develop symptoms, leading the family to vaccinate the cow, but the woman did not go for medical care. She soon began to develop severe rabies-like symptoms such as intense hydrophobia (fear of water), panic attacks, and violent responses to light and water. Her symptoms intensified, and she was rejected by several hospitals for medical treatment. Sadly, she passed away a short while after she returned home.

Takeaway

Although there is no conclusive proof that rabies can be spread through milk, the risk is present. To remain safe, professionals highly advise boiling or pasteurizing milk prior to consumption and ensuring livestock and pets are well vaccinated.

Rabies is a fatal but curable disease. Awareness, prompt medical care, and safe food handling can minimize its effects.

References:

1. "Is Rabies Transmissible Through Milk?" Global Scientific Journal. Accessed March 22, 2025. https://www.globalscientificjournal.com/researchpaper/IS-RABIES-TRANSMISSABLE-THROUGH-MILK.pdf.

2. Scope Blog. 2025. "Milk and Disease Risk: Bird Flu and Pasteurization." Scope Blog. February 25, 2025. https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2025/02/25/milk-disease-risk-bird-flu-pasteurization/.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Rabies Prevention." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025. Accessed March 22, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/index.html.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)