I had this rat in my pool... can I get rabies?

Question

READ THIS ITS NOT THAT LONG! There has been A rat so I took it out and then swam!

is that ok will I get RABIES!

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

Hi, Don't worry... there have been NO documented cases of a human EVER getting rabies from a rat. Even if you were bitten by this rat and went to the emergency room, they would treat the wound for infection with Betadine and give you a Tetanus Injection. (Rabies treatment wouldn't even be considered) The Chlorine in the pool will kill any bacteria from the rat, which by the way, is minimum. You can confirm this with your local Health Dept. if you need a second opinion.

Deborah Vilage

Scientist

Answer 3

No. Rabies are only when you get bit. But just in case you should really do pool cleaning. Rabies can possibly be wide spread that way.

Answer 4

No you are ok you get rabies from getting bit or something.

just shock your pull

Answer 5

Actually, there was a case of a bat that transmitted rabies from its saliva, not just a bite wound.

But rats, generally, aren't one of the main carriers of Rabies. They do carry many other diseases though.

Hopefully your pool was chlorinated enough that it killed anything from the rat.

Answer 6

Don't worry. It would have had to bite you. It would have had to have rabies. Rats are not known to transmit rabies, especially dead rats. The rabies virus dies quickly when the body dies.

The rat was after a drink. Animals sick with rabies do not seek drinks as their throat is very sore thus the name hydrophobia (fear of water).

Answer 7

Rabies used to be hydrophobia, or fear of the water.  I doubt the rat died in the water if it had Rabies.  It COULD have been put there, but more likely fell and and couldn't get out.  

You have to come into contact with the fluid of the rat, and the water would thin that out pretty well, so it is doubtful even at worst.  Probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but other than the mites, fleas, and such, you should be fine.  Still, if you want to get checked out...