Daijiworld Media Network- Barwani

Barwani, Jun 3: In a baffling and tragic incident from Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani district, six people have died within two weeks after being bitten by a still-unidentified animal, despite receiving anti-rabies treatment. The deaths occurred in Limbai village, leaving residents in fear and medical experts puzzled.

The fatal episode began in the early hours of May 5, when 17 villagers were attacked between 1 am and 5 am as they slept. Eyewitnesses described the attacker as dog-like, but with odd features — uneven limbs, a sloped back, and no audible growl or bark. Some believe it could be a rabid hyena or an unknown species yet to be identified.

All 17 victims received anti-rabies vaccinations from hospitals in Barwani and Indore. But between May 23 and June 2, six people — four men and two women aged between 40 and 60 — succumbed, raising concerns about either a mutated viral strain, vaccine failure, or a new kind of infection.

Among the deceased was Sunil (40), who reportedly left MY Hospital in Indore against medical advice and died en route to the district hospital. Another, Chain Singh Umrao (50), died just hours after showing signs of recovery — intensifying the mystery surrounding the cases.

Doctors treating the survivors noted unusual bite patterns and rapid neurological decline. “The wounds and symptoms do not follow the textbook pattern of traditional rabies,” one senior doctor observed.

Barwani Collector Guncha Sanobar, who visited the village on Monday, confirmed that all medical protocols were followed, and samples of the administered vaccines have been sent to the National Drug Laboratory in Kasauli for efficacy testing. Meanwhile, viscera, brain tissue, and throat biopsies have been dispatched to a virology lab in Delhi for deeper analysis.

Despite a search operation launched by the Forest Department, there has been no trace of the animal. "No pugmarks, no physical evidence. It's like it vanished," said DAFO Ashish Bansod. The forest is only 4.5 km away, but the predator remains elusive.

Locals, however, are losing patience. On Monday, angry villagers marched 7 km to the Khandwa-Baroda highway and staged a protest outside the forest office. "You cannot catch such a creature by patrolling roads. Deploy drones, bring in more manpower," urged resident Rakesh Jamre.

Villagers claim that three domestic animals have also died mysteriously since the attack, amplifying fears of a mutating virus or a new wildlife threat. Residents have slammed what they call a delayed response from the health and forest departments.

In response, Collector Sanobar has promised ?8 lakh compensation per victim’s family through the forest department and assured intensified investigation and patrolling.

For now, Limbai remains tense and terrified. With no answers and a phantom predator still on the loose, the villagers remain trapped in anxiety. As experts await lab results, the fear of an unknown threat continues to haunt the tribal hamlet — and a mystery yet unsolved deepens with every passing day.