Sorry this is after the fact for Kodo, but this is an excellent paper on
Rabies non-the-less.
 
John W. Krebs etal "Rabies-epidemiology, prevention, and future research"
1995 Journal of Mammalogy 76(3):681-694.
 
From this paper, you learn the Roman (Latin) word for the rabies "poison"
was, you guessed it, "virus." The Latin word "rabies" comes from the
Sanskrit, meaning "to do violence." Get ready for Jeopardy.
 
This is a basic run-down of the viral disease, including its history and
modern occurences.  It will tell you all you ever really needed to know
about rabies, and give some ammunition as well to defend against needless
cranial amputations.  Did you know that for the last 30 years in the USA (on
average) only ONE case of rabies is contracted per year?  Lets see....260
million people.....conservative estimate of 5-10 million animal bites...1
case of rabies.  Oh yeah, lets cut off everyone's heads!
 
Of particular interest is p.  690 "If the biting animal is particularly rare
or valuable and the risk of rabies small, postexposure treatment can be
administered to the bite victim in lieu of killing the animals for rabies
testing (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, 1995)"
Keep it in mind.
 
While the paper never specifically addresses ferrets, it does address the
issue of domestic animals, saying killing should only be done on strays, and
others should be isolated for then next 10 days.
 
The paper contains a wealth of references, and is valuble for that reason
alone.
 
Bob C and the 17 Mad As Hell Ferreteers
[Posted in FML issue 1986]