Why is getting bitten by a rabid animal so dangerous?

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Charles Rupprecht |

TED-Ed

• May 2026

In 1885, Joseph Meister was bit in 14 places by a rabid dog. His mother rushed him to Paris for an experimental vaccine from Louis Pasteur, and he became the first rabies-vaccinated person to survive. Today, without proper intervention, rabies remains deadly in almost all cases. So, what makes it so dangerous to humans? Charles Rupprecht explores what makes this infectious disease so lethal. [Directed by Anton Bogaty, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by Stephen LaRosa, Wonder Boy Audio].