Surge in goat milk demand in region

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 14

With the number of dengue and chikungunya cases going up in the city, the demand for goat milk has increased considerably. Available for a price between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per kg, people are making a beeline for dairies selling goat milk. However, doctors say there is no medical evidence to prove that goat milk cures dengue, adding that it is just a “misconception”.

Since there is no specific vaccine or drug for dengue, people are looking for alternative or natural home remedies to control this vector-borne disease.

People have to wait for four or five days to get a glass of goat milk amid a huge demand. “People are paying us in advance and they are ready to wait to get a glass of goat milk. I am

not aware and nor do I propagate that goat milk cures dengue. But people are coming to me and I am selling milk to them. I am not making any promises to them but people say it has curative value. Goat milk that is sold generally between Rs 100 and Rs150 a kg is being now sold at Rs 1,500 or Rs 2,000 per kg due to an increase in the demand,” said Mohammad Abdul Rehman, a goat breeder of Dhandra village.

Inderjeet Singh, a dairy farmer from Sahnewal, claims many patients have been cured after drinking goat milk.

“We gave goat milk to a patient for a few days according to his need and we charge Rs 2,000 for the entire treatment irrespective of the quantity of milk he drinks,” he said.

“There is no evidence that goat milk helps in treating dengue or increasing platelet count. Since remaining hydrated is very important for a patient suffering from these diseases, it can be the only reason why people are going in for goat milk as it is light and it gets digested easily. I advice patients to drink a lot of liquids to make up for the fluid loss. This will bring down the body temperature while easing symptom such as headaches and muscle cramps,” said Dr Gurdeep Singh, medicine specialist.

Meanwhile, 39 patients tested positive for dengue and 27 for chikungunya today. Now, the total number of dengue patients from Ludhiana has reached 384 and that of chikungunya 88.