Rabbis transmission

Question
Hello Dr. Chambreau, I have a little doubt about rabbis transmission and I wander if you may help, if I find a dead bat in my swimming pool, presumably infected, are there any chances of a person being infected by touching the water if him/her says, has any cut on his/her hands or accidentaly drink the water? The water is treated with chlorine and so.

Thanks for the attention, cheers...

Answer
In theory, rabies can be transmitted by saliva contact, but as far as I know that has not been officially reported. I am, however, in the USA, so I would STRONGLY suggest you contact a local brazil veterinarian or your department of agriculture for their information and to have the bat tested. The rabies virus can only be transmitted by a bite that injects the saliva that has the infective rabies virus. The virus is infective only for 10 days or less (at least in dogs and cats) before the animal shows severe symptoms and dies.