Do Opossums Carry Rabies?
Yes. An opossum can become infected with rabies. The documented cases below show why uncommon infection should not be described as immunity.
However, rare does not mean impossible, and exposure decisions should never be made based on assumptions about species. A bite or scratch, or saliva reaching broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth, warrants prompt professional assessment. CDC exposure guidance explains the routes of transmission and the role of public-health assessment.
Are Opossums Immune to Rabies?
No. Fewer reported infections do not establish complete immunity: Virginia recorded rabies-positive opossums in 2024. Rarity alone cannot settle an individual exposure decision.
Why rabies is uncommon in opossums
Washington’s wildlife agency describes rabies in opossums as uncommon and the reason as unknown. This supports rarity, not a proven protective body-temperature mechanism. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: opossum health and behavior.
How Common Is Rabies in Opossums in the United States?
As one dated U.S. example, the Virginia Department of Health’s 2024 rabies-positive animal table reports the following counts. These are Virginia results for 2024, not current national totals.
| Animal | Reported positives |
|---|---|
| Opossum | 2 |
| Bat | 24 |
| Raccoon | 148 |
| Skunk | 104 |
| Fox | 23 |
The table does not give the number of opossums tested, so it cannot support a positivity percentage. As explained in U.S. rabies surveillance methodology, animals submitted for testing are not a random sample of wildlife; these counts do not estimate population prevalence or your personal risk.
Possum vs Opossum in U.S. Searches
Here, “possum” means the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the North American animal commonly given that shorter name. The Maryland State Archives mammal guide records both names. These answers concern that animal in the U.S.
Why Confusion About Opossum Rabies Is Common
Several factors contribute to public confusion about opossum rabies risk:
- Playing possum — opossums sometimes feign death when frightened. This involuntary defensive behavior can be mistaken for neurological symptoms of rabies, causing unnecessary alarm in people who witness it.
- General wildlife caution messaging — public health guidance typically advises caution with all wildlife, which can blur distinctions between higher-risk and lower-prevalence species.
- Regional variation in guidance — some state and local health departments have specific opossum guidance; others treat all wildlife exposures under the same protocol.
What to Do After Opossum Contact
Regardless of the animal involved, the response to a bite or scratch from any wild animal follows the same essential steps:
- Wash the wound immediately — gently wash and flush with soap and running water for about 15 minutes when possible. This is one of the most important early actions and should not be skipped under any circumstances.
- Record the details — note the time, exact location, what happened, and the animal's behavior before and during contact.
- Contact your healthcare provider or urgent care — describe the exposure clearly so they can assess whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed.
- Notify local animal control or public health — they may be able to locate and test the animal, which can directly affect your treatment decision.
Can You Wait and Watch for Symptoms?
No. Waiting for rabies symptoms before seeking treatment is not a medically safe strategy. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. If post-exposure prophylaxis is indicated, it should be given before symptoms begin. Seek prompt professional guidance after a possible exposure, even if time has passed or you feel well.
How to Reduce Opossum Encounters at Home
Most opossum encounters are avoidable with basic precautions:
- Secure garbage bins with locking lids so food waste does not attract wildlife.
- Do not leave pet food or water outside overnight.
- Seal openings under porches, decks, and sheds that opossums could use as shelter.
- Keep pets vaccinated and supervise them when outdoors, particularly during evening and nighttime hours.
- Do not attempt to handle or relocate opossums yourself — contact local animal control for assistance.
When to Involve Animal Control or Public Health
Contact animal control or your local health department immediately if an opossum has bitten or scratched a person or pet, if the animal is behaving unusually (disoriented or unresponsive), or if you cannot locate the animal for testing. Do not attempt to capture or contain the animal without professional guidance.
Daylight activity alone does not establish illness: Indiana DNR notes that opossums may visit food sources during the day. Let professionals assess concerning behavior and any contact.
How Opossums Compare to Other US Wildlife
Species patterns help public-health assessment, but cannot establish whether an individual animal was infected. See CDC: factors in rabies exposure assessment.
For context across the higher-concern and lower-concern wildlife groups, see the full comparison set:
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Foxes
- Coyotes (spillover host)
- Rats and mice (almost never)
- Squirrels (almost never)
- Birds (cannot get rabies — not mammals)
Can You Get Rabies From an Opossum Bite?
An infected opossum’s bite can expose someone to rabies through saliva entering the wound. A scratch or saliva reaching broken skin or mucous membranes also needs assessment; species rarity is not a substitute for a professional PEP assessment. See the CDC exposure guidance above.
The risk is low, not zero. If an opossum bit you or your pet, the standard wound-care steps still apply: wash and flush thoroughly with soap and running water for about 15 minutes when possible, monitor for bacterial infection, and check tetanus status. Seek prompt medical or public-health assessment after a bite that breaks skin; do not decide from species rarity alone.
For step-by-step exposure response, see what to do after a bite.
For immediate wound care, see rabies first aid and wound washing.
Pets and Opossum Encounters
If a pet has contact with wildlife, contact a veterinarian. Management depends on the exposure, vaccination history and local requirements. See CDC veterinary guidance: management after animal exposure.
Related Guides on SafeRabies
Why Opossums Sometimes Look Sick When They Are Not
Opossums can appear motionless as a defensive response. Behavior alone cannot diagnose or exclude rabies; avoid handling wildlife and report the contact to local professionals. See Washington wildlife agency: opossum defensive behavior.
Part of our animal rabies guide: see the full overview of which animals carry rabies — including which are higher-concern and which almost never spread it.
Sources support the specified claims; citing an organization does not imply its endorsement. This sourcing update is not a completed medical review.
Details to Bring to an Assessment
Write down where the encounter happened, whether there was a bite or scratch, and whether saliva could have reached broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth. Describe the wound and any first aid already given. These details help the professional assess the contact; they are not a checklist for ruling out exposure yourself. See CDC: clinical exposure assessment.
For the wound-washing advice above, see WHO: washing exposed wounds for at least 15 minutes and seeking prompt care. Washing does not replace professional exposure assessment.