Why is getting bitten by a rabid animal so dangerous? - Charles Rupprecht — Tuesday 19 May 2026A new educational video from the popular science channel Kurzgesagt examines why rabies remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases known to humans. Drawing on expert insights from Charles Rupprecht, the animation highlights the case of Joseph Meister, who in 1885 survived after being bitten multiple times by a rabid dog and receiving an experimental vaccine developed by Louis Pasteur. Without such intervention, the virus still proves fatal in nearly every case once symptoms emerge, making prompt action essential worldwide. Rabies spreads through the saliva of infected animals, traveling along nerves to the brain and causing severe neurological damage. This process explains the near certainty of death after clinical signs appear, as the virus evades the immune system effectively. The video underscores risks not only from dogs in regions with limited animal vaccination programs but also from wildlife encounters during travel or in rural areas across Asia, Africa, and parts of the Americas. Global health experts emphasize immediate wound cleaning and seeking post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes vaccines and sometimes immunoglobulin, to prevent the disease from taking hold. With rabies claiming tens of thousands of lives each year, mostly in low-resource settings, the animation serves as a reminder for international travelers and local communities alike to prioritize animal vaccinations and rapid medical response following any potential exposure.Watch the full video from TED-Ed below.