Potential Diseases Carried by Possums in Gainsville, GA

Possums, while generally not aggressive, can pose several health concerns if they end up on your property or in your home. These health risks primarily stem from the parasites and diseases they can carry and transmit. Possums can carry the bacteria that cause leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans and pets through contact with their urine. This disease can cause flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, liver and kidney damage. Possums can contaminate food sources and surfaces with their feces, potentially spreading salmonella, which leads to gastrointestinal illness in humans. Possums often carry fleas, ticks, mites, and lice, which can infest homes and pets, leading to itching, skin irritations, and potential transmission of other diseases like Lyme disease and typhus. Possums can carry Tularemia. This bacterial disease, while rare, can be transmitted through contact with an infected possum or their droppings. It can cause fever, skin ulcers, and swollen lymph glands. Possums can contaminate attics, basements, and other areas with their droppings and urine, creating unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors. Their nests can also harbor parasites and create additional contamination. To mitigate these health concerns, it’s essential to address possum infestations promptly and safely. Professional wildlife control services can humanely remove possums and decontaminate affected areas to ensure a safe and healthy living environment.