Rabies is a concern in the Americas, but only if one is contacted with the saliva. Which is why, here, ya don't have physical contact with them. I was taught that batshit is deadly. It is because it *can* contain saliva... they can drool and they sleep upside down. It's fairly rare but it's possible. Other than that, ya gotta get bit. There are other sources of transmission but they are very rare. Those being getting the slaiva in your mouth, nose or eyes.

So, don't kiss any bats.