rabid a cultural history of the world's most

A smart, unsettling, and strangely stirring piece of work.'

'In this keen and exceptionally well-written book, rife with surprises, narrative suspense and a steady flow of expansive insights, 'the world's most diabolical virus' conquers the unsuspecting reader's imaginative nervous system. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. And today, its history can help shed light on the wave of emerging diseases, from AIDS to SARS to avian flu, that we now know to originate in animal populations.įrom Greek myths to zombie flicks, from the laboratory heroics of Louis Pasteur to the contemporary search for a lifesaving treatment, Rabid is a fresh, fascinating, and often wildly entertaining look at one of mankind’s oldest and most fearsome foes. A disease that spreads avidly from animals to humans, rabies has served throughout history as a symbol of savage madness, of inhuman possession. The most fatal virus known to science, rabies kills nearly 100 percent of its victims once the infection takes root in the brain. In this fascinating exploration, journalist Bill Wasik and veterinarian Monica Murphy chart four thousand years in the history, science, and cultural mythology of rabies. It’s a scenario that underlies our darkest tales of supernatural horror, but its power derives from a very real virus, a deadly scourge known to mankind from our earliest days. Rabid cat bit several people in Texas, officials say.A maddened creature, frothing at the mouth, lunges at an innocent victim-and, with a bite, transforms its prey into another raving monster. If someone sees a sick, dead or erratic-acting animal, a park employee should be contacted.Ī person’s doctor should be contacted if they have been in contact with an animal believed to be rabid, officials said.Īvoid mine openings where bats typically live. They can be watched from a safe distance. Wild animals should never be approached, touched, fed or picked up, park officials said. Park officials said less than 1% of bats have rabies. Nine species of bats live at Death Valley National Park. People should be especially concerned when an animal is behaving aggressively or does not show a normal fear of humans,” park officials said.Īnyone who was in contact with the rabid bat can contact Inyo County Health Department at 76 for medical guidance.

Rabid a cultural history of the world's most