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Opossums are not considered dangerous to humans. [56] Though their open-mouth hiss when frightened is often mistaken as rabid behavior, opossums are naturally resistant to rabies due to their low body temperature. Opossums can however host parasites and carry diseases such as tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and tularemia, among others. [57]
The opossum passes the parasite through feces. Horses contract EPM from contaminated feed or water. Horses cannot pass the disease among themselves; that is, one horse cannot contract the disease from another infected horse. The horse is a dead-end, or aberrant, host of the parasite.
The disease is endemic in possums across about 38% of New Zealand (known as 'vector risk areas'). In these areas, nearly 70% of new herd infections can be traced back to possums or ferrets. The Biosecurity Act 1993 , which established a national pest management strategy, is the legislation behind control of the disease in New Zealand.
[21] [16] Rats, mice, and moles are important primary hosts, but other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, swine, raccoons, opossums, and skunks can also carry the disease. [16] In Africa, a number of wildlife hosts have been identified as carriers, including the banded mongoose, Egyptian fox, Rusa deer, and shrews. [30]
Wobbly Possum Disease is a fatal neurological condition of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), first reported in 1995. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Symptoms include a stumbling gait, tremors, blindness, activity during the daytime, and falling from trees. [ 2 ]
Opossums don't look inviting but their benefits far outweigh their appearance, especially if there are dead trees in your woodlands. Opossums are nature's providers: Gentle marsupials don't get ...
When it comes to pet insurance, most of the industry’s focus is on covering cats and dogs. But what about those with more unconventional companions?
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