So here's the dumb thing I did:

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by Katelin

I can not find a documented case of a opossum testing positive for rabies, but I am looking.

Would this be a "documented case?" http://articles.latimes.com/1998/may/13/local/me-49343

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by Nickel

I'm sure her pal is just lovely. Perhaps they can vacation together next winter?

I LOVE that!!

[Katelin (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

Would this be a "documented case?" Opossum Rabies | County Employee Bitten by Opossum With Rabies - Los Angeles Times

Yup..but no variant is named.

I am attending a rabies training in NY next month and will ask about opossums and variants. Bet most are bat varient and if it were anything else, the opossums would die from the bite.

From the CDC:

Non-bite transmission of rabies in people has been reported by the CDC, and experimentally demonstrated with a high efficiency in susceptible animals placed in bat-proof and insect-proof cages in a cave with bat colonies by Constantine in Frio Cave, Texas, as early as 1960. In 1967, rabies virus was isolated from the air in the same cave, presumably passed by the bats urinating, potentially forming a source for infection of other susceptible animals, and presenting a hazard to researchers and spelunkers. While the risks may be low, they are deserving of further study and monitoring

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by Katelin

Yup..but no variant is named.

Amazingly I found another case. Opossum With Rabies Raising Fears for Dogs - NYTimes.com

[Katelin (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

Amazingly I found another case. Opossum With Rabies Raising Fears for Dogs - NYTimes.com

I know that case a few more like it..but what is the variant?
It is one thing to say it is "rabies" much like saying it is "cancer".
But what GAVE it the rabies?
Opossums are not a host. They had to have gotten it from another animal.
So what was that animal ( variant)?

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Katelin

I know that case a few more like it..but what is the variant?
It is one thing to say it is "rabies" much like saying it is "cancer".
But what GAVE it the rabies?
Opossums are not a host. They had to have gotten it from another animal.
So what was that animal ( variant)?

You really are confused. Take a nap and try again tomorrow.

[Katelin (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ArkRescue

You really are confused. Take a nap and try again tomorrow.

The type of virus is called a variant.
Testing now can id the variant to a species and sometimes can narrow it down to a distinct geographical area.
That is what tells you WHERE the rabies came from!!!!

But to try and tell you this is pointless, so I am done here (and on the Box turtle thread) discussing this with you.

I have more important things to do, like take rescued cats to get to the vet to get vetted.

[Hank]

Originally Posted by Katelin

The type of virus is called a variant.
Testing now can id the variant to a species and sometimes can narrow it down to a distinct geographical area.
That is what tells you WHERE the rabies came from!!!!

But to try and tell you this is pointless, so I am done here (and on the Box turtle thread) discussing this with you.

I have more important things to do, like take rescued cats to get to the vet to get vetted.

So, opossums can get rabies...

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Hank

So, opossums can get rabies...

apparently so, well maybe not, OMG I am not sure now

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Hank

So, opossums can get rabies...

Originally Posted by ArkRescue

apparently so, well maybe not, OMG I am not sure now

Looks like you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning while in the shower...

Question: Do opossums carry rabies?

Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum’s low body temperature (94-97º F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum’s body.


Frequently Asked Questions - Opossum Problems and Solutions opossums carry rabies?