TMCnet News
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Takes the Lead in Rabies Control with Appointment of Expert ResearcherBASSETERRE, St. Kitts --(Business Wire)-- Dr. Charles Rupprecht, an internationally recognized expert on rabies, has joined the faculty of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) as a professor of epidemiology and public health. Dr. Rupprecht is the former head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's rabies program and one of the founders of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC). He has spent much of his professional life studying the transmission, evolution and effects of rabies, a deadly virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The GARC estimates that more than 55,000 people worldwide - half of them children - die from rabies each year. Through a partnership between RUSVM and GARC, Dr. Rupprecht intends to continue work on global canine rabies prevention, and study the dynamics of rabies in the Caribbean by focusing on how the region's increasing mongoose population might contribute to the spread and evolution of the disease. He also hopes to attract collaborators, through GARC, to extend research opportunities for RUSVM's faculty and students. "The addition of a world-class researcher of Dr. Rupprecht's caliber will significantly strengthen one of RUSVM's priority areas-public health education, extending knowledge within the Caribbean region and beyond," said RUSVM Dean Dr. Elaine Watson. "His contributions in combating the deadly disease, rabies, have had a far-reaching effect on control of this fatal virus worldwide, and we fully support his future endeavors in this important area of research and education." Dr. Rupprecht brings strong scientific credentials to RUSVM's research mission. He received his bachelor's degree in ecology rom Rutgers University, his master's and Ph.D. degrees in zoology and biological sciences from the University of Wisconsin and his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in the creation of the only oral rabies vaccine licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in wildlife. This vaccine has prevented rabies in wild raccoons from spreading west of the Appalachian Mountains, and has also eliminated rabies outbreaks in coyotes along the U.S. border with Mexico and controlled rabies among grey foxes in the Southwestern U.S. Dr. Rupprecht will also oversee one of RUSVM's new research centers. The Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health will be one of four centers focused on driving RUSVM's mission to provide students with a research-informed educational experience. About Global Alliance for Rabies Control Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports public education and communication about the spread and control of rabies, applied research about the disease, and creation of government policies to assist these efforts. About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), founded in 1982, is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the worldwide public and professional healthcare team and to advance human and animal health (One Health Initiative) through research and knowledge exchange. RUSVM has focused research programs with an emphasis on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine, and ecosystem health. RUSVM is accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board (www.ab.gov.kn) and has limited accreditation status by the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org) to offer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program. The RUSVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (www.aahanet.org). RUSVM is a part of DeVry Education Group Inc. (NYSE: DV; member S&P MidCap 400 Index). For more information about RUSVM, visit http://www.rossu.edu/veterinary-school. |
