answersLogoWhite

0

No. True possums (those that are native to Australia) do not currently carry diseases which are transmissible to humans.

The only disease a person is likely to get if bitten by a possum is tetanus from an untreated wound. Some believe that possums carry rabies, but no rabies is present in either Australia or New Zealand. However, New Zealand possums are subject to a form of bovine tuberculosis which has so far been shown to be transmissible between cattle, possums and ferrets. This form of TB has not been found in Australian possums, and has not been shown to be transmissible to humans.

In North America, however, it is a different situation. The body temperature of an opossum is generally too low to harbour the virus: it is possible, although highly unlikely, for an opossum to carry the rabies virus. There is at least one documented case of a rabid opossum biting a child.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?