We will talk more on this but currently, let us help you get a better idea about possums and their existence. The pupil dilation is helping nocturnal animals to see in poor light. It is just unnecessary, she says, reiterating that they are not there to cause harm. The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. Sadly, it can be life-threatening for them too. So, if you become immunosuppressed in the future, you might have a relapse. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood animals in the Americas. Of the three types of relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever is the only one common in the United States. Therefore, there are scarce chances of you or . Keep reading for more information on which diseases an opossum can carry, and which ones it can spread to you! As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Exposure to infected feces or eating undercooked contaminated meat can result in infection in both animals and humans. They may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and viruses through their urine or feces. Operating 24/7/365. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. These pests are nocturnal and omnivorous. If you catch an opossum off guard, youll probably hear it hiss, growl or click as a warning to stay back. 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. Then when it bites you, it will transmit the bacteria to you, and you will come down with the disease. The interesting part is that physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), and it is triggered when nothing else works automatically, rather than as a conscious act they can control. This critter is unpleasant enough as it is, so when they glare at you, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, its even worse. This, perhaps, is the most dangerous thing about them. The good thing is there are some steps you can take to make these hissing creatures go away: We know that an unexpected encounter with a hissing possum can be scary. We trap and remove wildlife, but we also perform exclusion services to ensure animals and pests cannot get back into your home. Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Their natural life span is only two to four years. In some people, tuberculosis infection is latent. Thankfully, there are treatments for the disease. One thing to note is that possums carry some of these pathogens and germs without showing signs of the disease. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely. 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. If you're considering your furry friends' safety, know that opossums do not prey on cats, dogs or other larger mammals. So, sometimes the treatment is comprehensive. You may also notice excessive drooling. It also has the added effect of rendering them odorless (when theyre not secreting stinky predator-repellant, that is). Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. If your mammalian pets like cats and dogs get rabies, they can infect you with a bite or a scratch. In some people, Chagas disease shows no symptoms. Reach out toUrban Jungle Wildlife Removal for a customized wildlife removal solution. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. If you are pregnant, you should do all you can to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. Any mammal can contract rabies, but opossums have an advantage. They include: Chagas disease: Chagas disease is caused by a one-celled parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. Yes, they can carry and spread many diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, spotted fever, Chagas diseases, etc. It is true that opossums "eat insects, spiders, small rodents . Then there is also the possibility of meningitis and death. Like other marsupials, mother possums give birth to tiny, underdeveloped offspring (called joeys) that immediately crawl into a pouch where they live and nurse during their first months of life. Relapsing fever is a bacterial disease, and like spotted fevers, the bite of an infected tick transmits it to humans. What Diseases Can Possums Carry? The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. A picture of a possum playing dead doesnt really do it justice. Some people think theyre cute. Tularemia can be mild or life-threatening. 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. Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite which causes Chagas Disease. Pets like cats and dogs can get spotted fever. The illness is usually sudden, and it happens in 2 phases. Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. They may also have a mixture of those issues. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. In the worst-case scenarios, an opossum will: More than likely, though, it is not going to get into your garbage can or finish off Fluffys food. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. Opossums are most dangerous because they can potentially transmit diseases to pets and people.
It is only when opossums have taken up residence in and around your home that they may be problematic. An easy way to recognize them is through the tail; possums have a thick furry tail like a squirrel, while opossums have a thin, non-hairy tail like rats. Cats, dogs, and many other pets may also get tuberculosis. Are Opossums Dangerous To Humans, Pets And Property? Do possums carry fatal diseases to cats? The possum looks like a cute cross between a squirrel and a chinchilla and it belongs to a different order than the North American mammal that shares (most of) its name. 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. Their low body temperature makes them kind of immune to the rabies virus. Hiking Boots vs. Marsupials like opossums have a lower temperature compared to other types of mammals in North America, making their bodies a less suitable environment for the rabies virus. Even if possums arent the cutest creatures in the forest, they should be a welcome addition to your backyard. In fact, they are considered to be amongst most rabies-immune animals. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. much does opossum removal cost? Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. "@context": "https://schema.org", There are plenty of different precautions you should take if you have to deal with a problem animal, and by knowing about the different diseases you can prepare appropriately to deal with the problem. This is all thanks to their relatively low body temperature and high immunity. Tails that look scaly are not too sleek, they do not collect dirt and moisture when digging the ground, and are an excellent adaptation for balancing and climbing. The earlier you get treatment, the better. Lexie is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. It is true that if you have possums in your environment, they can serve as natural pest control. Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. There may also be vomiting and diarrhea in this phase. Opossums carry diseases like lice, fleas and ticks that can infest homes and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tularemia to humans and pets. All you really need to do is make sure there is an accessible exit route. Transmitted through contaminated urine or other bodily fluids from an infected animal, this bacterial disease can impact humans and wildlife. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. All Rights Reserved. They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. Possums have no control over when they play dead or for how long they do it: The comatose-like state is an involuntary reaction triggered by stress. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids, except saliva), water, or soil. If your dog kills a possum, then as an added level of precaution, you can carry the body or carcass of the possum to the vet so that he can examine and gauge any probable chances of infections. Opossums are one of a handful of animals with prehensile tails. Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection that can cause headache, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and persistent episodes of fever. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. Sometimes, this disease may even cause permanent damages like deafness, amputation, mental instability, and paralysis. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Leptospirosis in humans is pretty severe when it progresses to the second phase. Grip branches, collect leaves and sticks for nests, even support babies. Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. 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. As the name says, relapsing fever follows a relapsing pattern. creative tips and more. When a baby opossum gets too big for the pouch, it will ride on the back of its mother until it is mature enough to live independently. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. Yes, the smell! Copyright 2003-2020 by AAAnimal Control. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. Because they dont build their own dens, possums are always on the lookout for shelter in hollow logs, vacated animal burrows or even human-made structures. So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Researchers have been trying to uncover opossums' antivenom adaptation for decades. Even their urine or feces may cause harmful diseases if ingested. The bacteria can enter . First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. 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