The worst part about sharing your house with possums is not about the mess they create, but the droppings that stain your floor. Rhode Island Possum feces may make it easy for you to trace their tiny habitat, however, are dangerous for the fact that they are loaded with several lethal disease-producing parasites.



Yes, Providence opossum feces are awfully dangerous to touch or breathe. Here is what they can do to your health:

Hepatitis A:
Feces make the most common mode of transmission of hepatitis virus type A. Hence, there is a great chance of getting infected with the disease upon touching the droppings.

Leptospirosis:
This condition is produced by a cork screw-shaped bacteria known as Leptospira, which is most commonly found in the excretions of rodents. Spread to humans can happen upon exposure of the eyes, skin or mouth to the contaminated animal urine, water or soil.

Leptospirosis is a lethal ailment and occurs where hygiene is inadequate. Such are the grounds where rodents flourish too. It may be mild and exhibit symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle ache. Serious cases involve bleeding from the lungs and kidneys, and even meningitis.

Salmonella:
Salmonella is a common bacteria that causes food poisoning. The entity also exists in the feces of possums and may enter your intestines via food or water contamination. Symptoms may include abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever.

Intestinal worms:
Worms are the most common entities present in the excretions of all animals including rodents. Providence possum feces may carry eggs of tapeworms and roundworms which may reach your intestine and grow and reproduce there. Roundworm eggs may access your body even if you inhale them.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM):
Of all the diseases a possum may transmit to other beings, EPM is the most fatal. It is caused by the parasite, "Sarcocystis neurona", and involves the central nervous system of horses. The disease may exhibit neurological signs such as gait disturbances, muscle spasticity and uncoordinated body movements in the infected animal.

Rabies:
It may sound absurd as the spread of the disease has always been linked with a dog, but the rabies virus is spread commonly via infected rodents as well. Even if the animal is symptomless, the virus may prevail in its feces and can infect the one who comes into contact.

How to handle possum feces without getting infected?
You cannot swipe away rodent droppings with bare hands, since the parasites may remain adhered to your skin even after washing your hands thoroughly. Moreover, cuts on your skin can make a way for the infectious entities to enter your body. Hence, it is crucial that the feces should be lifted with the aid of a broom or after putting on gloves. As the germs also enter your body via air, put on a mouth mask and goggles when handling the feculence. It is recommended that you wear full sleeved-clothing in order to minimize the skin contact to the ultimate extent possible. In case you own pets, make sure that they remain away from the droppings, as well as the area where you have disposed off the feces. Fecal parasites can invade your pet's fur posing danger to you and your animal's health.

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