Santa Cruz possums are scavengers that are found wherever humans live. They are very reliant on humans for food. This has led to them being seen as a pest and people go to great lengths to get rid of them. One of the main reasons that opossums are undesirable is because they spread disease.



Opossum feces is rather large and can be confused with that of a dog. Diseases are spread to humans when they touch or inhale feces.

Types of diseases spread by opossum feces
When animals lick the feces of California opossums, the worms that it contains will make them ill. Look out for the following symptoms.
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Paralysis

Diseases spread to humans
• Salmonella is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Some people have no symptoms, but it can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The infection generally lasts about a week. The incubation period is very short. People generally start showing symptoms within 6 – 72 hours.
• Leptospirosis is an infection that causes migraines, muscle pain, and fevers. It has also been known to cause meningitis. It has an incubation period of 7 – 12 days. It can effectively be treated with antibiotics.
• Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is known to cause mild to severe illness. The incubation period is between 2 – 6 weeks. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. As it affects the liver, it can also cause jaundice. There is a vaccine available that prevents infection.

Rabies
Rabies is a deadly disease that is primarily spread by the bite of a Santa Cruz animal. It is very rarely spread by opossums as they have built up an immunity to it. If you have been bitten by an opossum it is safer to go and see a doctor in order to get a rabies shot.

How to get rid of opossum feces safely
It is important to get rid of California opossum feces in order to ensure that you do not become ill. Once they have dried, the dust that they emit can be very dangerous if inhaled. Always make sure that you wear protective gear when removing the feces. If you do come into contact with it, it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly. You also need to disinfect the area in which the feces was found, to make sure that no residual dust has been left behind.

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