Naturally Acquired Rabies in White-Eared Opossum, Brazil

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Dec;29(12):2541-2545. doi: 10.3201/eid2912.230373.

Abstract

Opossums are considered resistant to rabies. Nonhematophagous bats are reservoirs of rabies in urban areas of South America. We analyzed bats and opossums tested for rabies during 2021 in a highly urbanized city in Brazil to understand spillover in an urban setting. Wildlife surveillance is necessary to prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals.

Keywords: Artibeus spp.; Brazil; Didelphis albiventris; Lyssavirus; South America; infectious diseases; marsupials; opossum; rabies; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Chiroptera
  • Didelphis*
  • Opossums
  • Rabies* / epidemiology
  • Rabies* / veterinary