World Health Organization

Dr. H. Ertl serves as director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Center for Reference to Rabies Virus. As such, she provides laboratory materials and training to scientists from developing nations and information to the public on rabies virus-related health issues.

Rabies virus can infect all mammals and is endemic in most countries of the world. Generally, the virus is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Once an infection progresses to disease, the outcome is nearly always fatal. In the U.S., rabies virus is endemic in several common animals, such raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats. Rabies virus vaccination of dogs and cats is mandatory in the U.S. because these animals can transmit the virus to humans.

A vaccine against rabies virus is available for humans. This vaccine is given prophylactically to humans at high risk for exposure to rabies due to their occupations. The vaccine is also given to humans after exposure to a potentially rabid animal. In cases of severe exposure, the vaccine is combined with treatment with a human hyperimmune serum to rabies virus. The prototype of the human vaccine to rabies virus currently used in the U.S. was developed at The Wistar Institute. The vaccine is generally well tolerated and completely protects against the development of fatal rabies virus encephalitis if administered immediately after exposure to the virus.

The Wistar Institute also developed one of the vaccines for wild animals based on a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein. This vaccine, called VRG, can be given orally through baits in the field. VRG has been found safe and effective in field trials and is currently being used for prevention of rabies in wild animals in several countries.