One difference between the rabies and influenza viruses is that the influenza virus can be cured if it comes in contact with humans while the rabies virus can not be cured once humans contract it. The rabies virus does not have a segmented genome while the influenza virus does.
The rabies virus spreads through animals (well known carriers of the disease are dogs and cats, there are also squirrels) and it can cause deadly affects. While the flu is passed around between humans and is easily treatable and a lot less deadly than rabies. (Even though the flu can lead to death by causing a colossal amount of inflammation in a person's lungs, which can lead to respiratory failure. Also, when someone has the flu, they become more vulnerable to a bacterial infection that can lead to pneumonia.)
The only shape that casts a round shadow no matter which direction it is pointed is a sphere, and the ancient Greeks deduced that this must mean the Earth is spherical.
