Tue, 05 May 2026 08:32:07 +0000

Why Opossums Are Dubbed the Silent Rabies Threat You Never Expected When people think of rabies, raccoons, bats, and foxes usually come to mind—seemingly more aggressive carriers of the deadly virus. But scroll a bit deeper, and you’ll discover a surprising contender: the humble opossum. Though shy, gentle creatures, opossums are often called the “silent rabies threat” you never expected. Here’s why these nocturnal marsupials deserve a place in every rabies awareness conversation. ### The Quiet Carriers of Rabies Opossums are masters at hiding illness. Unlike many rabies carriers that show aggressive behavior, opossums infected with the virus often appear calm, lethargic, or even non响应—masking the infection so effectively that this subtle behavior can lull both humans and pets into a dangerous false sense of security. This quiet progression makes opossums dangerous yet overlooked vectors of rabies.