You’ve heard the tales: A bite from a vicious monster transforms you into something less than human, leaving you just enough consciousness to contemplate your terrible fate as you slowly and agonizingly die. This scene is at the root of many of our most popular horror tropes — think vampires, werewolves and zombies — but it’s also a pretty accurate description of dying of rabies.
In their new book, Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus, Wired senior editor Bill Wasik and veterinarian Dr. Monica Murphy argue that rabies is so culturally resonant because it blurs the line between animal, human and monster. They join Wired senior editor Adam Rogers on this episode of the Storyboard podcast to talk about the science and lore behind one of our most feared diseases — and the controversial protocol that may have the power to bring down its 100 percent fatality rate.
Intrigued? You can read more about the future of rabies treatment in Wasik and Murphy’s article “Undead,” published in the latest issue of Wired magazine.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.