Patna, Nov 5 (IANS) After having lost two of their cows to rabies, a farmer's extended family in Bihar has to now get themselves vaccinated against the disease for a whopping Rs.43,000, as they had drunk the milk of the infected cows.

Two cows of Rajkishore Prasad Singh, a farmer in Dakhin Tola in Purnea district, were bitten by a rabid dog last month and died of rabies within two weeks, according to local media reports here.

The farmer's 27-member family has now been advised by doctors to vaccinate themselves against the disease as a precautionary measure since they had consumed milk from the two sick cows.

"Doctors told us to take the vaccine immediately," a family member was quoted as saying.

Their problem deepened when the local government health centre told them that the rabies vaccine was not available and that they would have to purchase it from the market.

Each member has to be administered five vaccinations and each vaccine costs Rs.320. In all, the family will have to spend Rs.43,000 to purchase 135 vaccinations.