Rabies is the oldest infectious disease spread across species. Historical evidence of rabies dates back to around 2300 BC. The first written record of rabies is found in the Eshnunna codex (c. 1930 BC), which states that owners of rabid dogs with rabies symptoms should take preventative measures to keep their dog away from others. If a person was bitten and then became ill or died, the owner would be fined heavily. During this period and for many centuries to follow, it was common to kill any animal or human who showed symptoms of the disease. Rabies incidents involving dogs are rare in the United States today, but there are an increasing number of outbreaks among wild animal populations, particularly in southern states. Rabies does not discriminate against any warm-blooded mammal; everyone who comes into contact with the virus is at risk. Those who choose to live, work and play in areas with larger wildlife populations are understandably at higher risk. People should be extremely wary of unfamiliar animals and pay attention to changes in behavior in familiar animals. The virus is usually spread from a bite wound when saliva from an infected animal is introduced into the victim through the bite. The virus travels from the origin of the injury to the nerves and then ultimately infects the brain. There is the slightest chance of becoming infected from a non-bite exposure if saliva or brain matter from a rabid animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth or open wound. While non-bite exposures are rare, there is evidence that transplants may be a cause for concern. “The only well-documented cases of rabies caused by human-to-human transmission have occurred among eight recipients of transplanted corneas and recently among three recipients of… half the paper… to justify vaccinating the entire population. Likewise, make sure your pets are vaccinated. Even though we are aware of the situation now, things are spreading quickly! 3) Can marine mammals contract rabies? They are warm-blooded mammals, but research suggests that is highly unlikely. Works Cited A. Goetze, 'The Laws of Eshnunna', Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, vol. 31, New Haven, Connecticut, Department of Antiquities of the Iraqi Government and the American Schools of Oriental Research, p. 133 (#56). 1965, CDC, . 28 February 2014. .Koprowski, H. (2009), Anger in the face of the 21st century. Zoonoses and Public Health,56: 258–261. doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01266.xKuzmin, . NP Network. 3 March 2014.bulletin.org/about_rabies/classification.asp&xgt;.