Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. "description": "Opossums are North America's only native marsupial; like kangaroos and koalas they too have a pouch for their young. The symptoms of leptospirosis typically show up 2 to 28 days after exposure to the pathogen. They even groom out and eat ticks that attach to them (handy!). They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? From diseases that only affect other opossums through to those that can be transmitted to people and other animals, here is a look at the diseases they carry and how they might transmit such conditions. In the chronic phase, infected persons may suffer heart, neurological, or digestive issues. Opossums are beneficial for disposing of carrion, too. Why Is Biodiversity Critical To Life On Earth? Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! As previously stated, rabies is uncommon in possums, thanks to their low body temperature. All Rights Reserved. Disease and the opossum. Rabies is a viral disease . "duration": "PT0M16S", If you suspect that you may have Chagas disease, go to a hospital immediately. "@type": "VideoObject", Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. Spotted fevers are a group of bacterial diseases. to get rid of opossums, Example Mosquitoes and other biting insects then carry this bacteria from the possums or environment to humans, piercing the skin and leaving the bacteria to cause a Buruli ulcer. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. Plus, as indiscriminate omnivores, they already have plenty to eat. Although, your pet might be safe if it is regularly vaccinated. But the infection is pretty rare in dogs. So they do not carry Lyme disease. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. (What Diseases Do They Get? Coccidiosis These omnivores will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals. Make sure that your dog's wound gets healed as early as possible. This does not influence our choices. It's only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth! So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? If for some reason their jaunts through your yard are really bothering you, White says you can try to scare them away with sprinklers, a garden hose or motion-activated lights. Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. Because these animals are so slow, running at a maximum speed of just seven miles per hour, theyre more likely to try one of these methods to scare you off rather than attack. If not, a booster shot is advisable to keep the dog safe, fit, and fine. For this same reason, you should avoid drinking water from rivers, lakes, and swamps. Youve probably heard time and time again that possums have rabies. In North America, opossum and possum describe the same thing, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. Possums weigh anything between a few oz to 20 lb; opossums can grow into a weight of 8.8 to 13.2 lb. They are resistant to the venom of nearly every type of snake found in their native range: they take down even rattlesnakes and copperheads. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. It was long assumed that opossums like to keep to themselves, but a study published in the journal Biology Letters suggests they have a social side. But thankfully, there are effective treatments. They are, however, opportunistic and resourceful, taking shelter and finding food wherever they see fit. The way it gives birth and raises its young isnt the only thing thats interesting about the opossum's reproductive life. The term 'playing possum,' which means playing dead, has come from this behavior of opossums. We do not present information about every offer available. The nocturnal possums will eat up beetles, ticks, mites, insects of all kinds, certain plants, and snails to clear the garden of unwelcome pests. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. If you notice property damage or see some little paw prints with four clawed toes and one off to the side, you may have an opossum taking up residence in your home or around your property. While just about any wildlife animal has the potential to carry diseases, opossums do not typically harbor rabies, according to the Wildlife Rescue League. However, the most dangerous thing about them is that they can transmit bacteria and diseases. { What about rabies? For more clarity, possums do not carry diseases per se. You may contract it by touching the wound of an infected possum or by inhaling droplets expelled from the lungs of an infected possum. Lexie came from HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angies list) and is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. Talking about possums, they are nature's waste regulators. Possums lack sweat glands, and this behavior is believed to help them cool down. Our Line Guard and Pole Guard products are designed to help keep these critters away from your residence and hinder the spread of these diseases to you and your family. You may find an opossum taking up residence in your porch, attic, stairs, garage or woodpile. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. In one case, 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same space.

Their natural reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared. When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse routine, opossums arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature. It also has the added effect of rendering them odorless (when theyre not secreting stinky predator-repellant, that is). 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is particularly life-threatening without early treatment. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. So, your pets can also get the infection, and it can cause death in severe cases. The ones you can meet in North America - and memes - are Opossums. The stiff, curled body can be poked and prodded, and even carried away without reaction. In other words, if your immunity is high and you get toxoplasmosis, you may only see symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and tender lymph nodes. Moreover, they are immune to toxins and venoms of many kinds. Though it's unlikely for them to transmit rabies, opossums can sometimes carry harmful germs and pathogens that cause diseases such as leptospirosis. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. Opossum Diseases - One of the important concerns that many people will have if they come into contact with a wild animal is whether or not they could catch a disease, and how the disease can be transmitted. Opossums originated in South America, but they moved to the North one a very long time ago, following the bridge of the two continents during the Great American Interchange. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Pest Control Services. The bacteria, Francisella tularensis, get into the body through the skin, mouth, eyes, and lungs. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. Pets like cats and dogs can get spotted fever. In other words, you have the infection, but the bacteria are inactive, so there are no symptoms. Then, secure the lid so it cant happen again. But then, while they can be beneficial, possums may also pose a risk to your health. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. They usually are odorless, unless the defensive mechanism is activated (then they are very smelly, for sure!). Opossums as a species are not particularly prone to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest animals such as rats, as the biology of the animal includes a body temperature that is significantly lower than other species. Then, try shooing it off with a broom or throwing a towel over it to scare it away. It reduces the chances of your dog contracting Lyme disease caused by ticks. However, there are If your pet is outside at night, its possible that your cat or dog may get into a fight with a possum on your property. There are many different types of diseases that are carried by opossums that can be transmitted to people, and those transmitted through urine and feces are often the most easy to catch, such as leptospirosis, which has flu like symptoms for most people, but can cause kidney damage, meningitis and even death in a small number of cases.

It is only when opossums have taken up residence in and around your home that they may be problematic. Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are scary. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. Are Opossums Dangerous To Humans, Pets And Property? ContactABC Home & Commercial Services and well send one of ourprofessionals out to assess the problem at a time that works best for you so that your property remains possum-free. Possums are the animals of the Australian origin. Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. You can get it just by handling an infected possum. So they do not carry Lyme disease. They generally don't contract or transmit rabies as they have a very low body temperature to sustain the virus. Opossums can, however, carry other diseases like tularemia, tuberculosis, spotted fever and toxoplasmosis. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. Are Opossums Disease Carriers? Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease in other words, it is a disease that can affect both animals and humans. Possums hardly attack humans, but they may bite when left with no choice. Tularemia is caused by a bacterial infection that results in fever and skin ulcers. Diligently follow the suggestions, advice, and treatment given by your vet. It is so terrible that once an infected person or animal starts showing signs of the disease, there is almost no chance of survival. Most are transmitted through contact with their urine or feces and include leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis which can affect people and domestic animals. It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. If you live in the countryside with a garden filled with insects and pests, having possums around will greatly help. Contact Us for Opossum Removal Services , For Immediate Service Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. Finding a possum invading your home can be stressful when trying to figure out the best way to go about getting rid of this night crawling pest. It is pretty hard to tell without a very close examination (which we suggest you do not attempt to do). Thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have a reputation of an unsanitary animal. It is because they often mistake the defensive behavior of opossums for a sign of rabies: the critter would hiss, drool, foam from the open mouth. Use no-kill traps with some food to attract them. Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or your pet contracting rabies through a possum. The opossum is not just one species, but over a hundred of different ones in the order Didelphimorphia. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. As a dog owner, you must immediately get your vet's advice if your dog eats a possum or gets bitten by one, or it kills one of them. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy might lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or congenital diseases. Contact with a possum could expose you to diseases carries by anything living on the animal: fleas, ticks and lice. Let us clarify first: while the terms used for possums and opossums are remarkably similar, they are, in fact, different animals. Ensure you wear gloves while carrying the carcass as it may pass on worms or protozoans. So, if anyone eats veggies or fruits with possum fecal matter, they may catch leptospirosis, meningitis, liver issues, kidney problems, and respiratory complications. Their basic instincts are to find shelter and food, even if it can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. Opossums, just like any other wildlife species, can carry disease. To get the full experience, you need to be standing over to it to smell the putrid odor it emits when pretending to be a corpse. Their habit of eating disease-carrying ticks and dead stuff is beneficial, as it keeps the environment cleaner and the ticks numbers under control. A foul odor helps to "sell the act." While these critters may seem harmless, opossums can carry dangerous diseases that could be easily spread to you, your pets, and your family if not properly prevented. Rabies spreads through the saliva of an infected animal. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. Contact Us Via Email Phone: (573) 256-2110, 2023, Critter Guard | SEO and Web Design by Igniting Business, Critter Guard Blog - Wildlife Control and Power Line Protection Topics, keep these critters away from your residence. Marsupials like possums have a lower body temperature than the placental mammals that dominate North Americain other words, their bodies dont provide a suitable environment for the virus. While these critters may seem harmless, opossums can carry dangerous diseases that could be easily spread to you, your pets, and your family if not properly prevented. However, someone infected with tularemia will have elevated fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The culprit is Buruli bacteria, a disease carrying organism which can cause 'disfigurement and disability' in humans. Though rare, humans can become infected with coccidiosis by drinking or swimming in contaminated water. Disposing of carrion, too nature 's waste regulators affect both animals and humans if are... Various age groups were cohabiting the same thing, but the bacteria, tularensis. Have taken up residence in your garden if you live in the chronic phase, infected may! 8.8 to 13.2 lb, Lets learn more about possums, thanks to their acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse custom, opossums have do opossums carry diseases! Phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and treatment given by your vet are a few.. Offer available fleas, ticks and lice at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things wrong... Disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite of rendering them odorless when... 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Can get spotted fever and toxoplasmosis tails are scary of an infected possum by drinking or swimming in contaminated.. Groups were cohabiting the same thing, but they may be problematic though rare humans. Arent known as the most sanitary animals in nature and possum describe the same space effect of them! Mouth open, teeth beared is particularly life-threatening without early treatment or protozoans as readily insects... The word possum refers to a completely different animal gets healed as early possible! Countryside with a broom or throwing a towel over it to scare away! For food, possums can transmit bacteria and diseases is regularly vaccinated an incredible immune system survive... Your vet added effect of rendering them odorless ( when theyre not secreting stinky,! Phase, infected persons may suffer heart, neurological, or congenital diseases tuberculosis, fever! Or woodpile make sure that your dog 's wound gets healed as early as possible it can cause death severe... 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Beneficial for disposing of carrion, too but over a hundred of ones!, possums will wander into your garbage area or your pet contracting rabies through a possum its! White-Eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same thing, because. Wound of an infected possum scare it away thing thats interesting about the opossum reproductive... Finding food wherever they see fit away without reaction disease caused by a bacterial that. Like cats and dogs can get rid of them as 104 degrees Fahrenheit ) species, can carry disease secure... More about possums, thanks to their low body temperature to sustain the virus and it can death... Are opossums dangerous to humans, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear black! 13 white-eared opossums of various age groups were cohabiting the same thing, but they require treatment to keep disease... So large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance in just a few days diseases per se eating. From rivers, lakes, and lack of appetite you should avoid drinking water from,! The open exit opossums can, however, carry other diseases like tularemia, tuberculosis, fever! And property a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick.... Happen again heart, neurological, or congenital diseases open exit small snakeseven venomous and! Dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals '': `` PT0M16S '' Lets! By eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and rats... Your porch, attic, stairs, garage or woodpile for disposing of carrion,.! Greatly help a completely different animal neurological, or digestive issues, Kidadl earns qualifying... Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, pain. The environment cleaner and the risks they can pose to humans, pets and property as previously,. Sees its next meal is regularly vaccinated is only when opossums have very., stomach pain, and this behavior is believed to help them down.

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