Feb 16 2024São Paulo Research Foundation A female White-eared opossum found dead in 2021 in Bosque dos Jequitibás Park in the center of Campinas, one of the largest cities in São Paulo state, Brazil, died from rabies meningoencephalitis, according to a group of researchers at the University of São Paulo and Adolfo Lutz Institute , the regional reference laboratory, working with health professionals affiliated with public institutions in São Paulo city and Campinas.
Neurological signs of the disease detected in the animal pointed to the form of rabies that causes paralysis and is transmitted by bats. Viral particles identified in other organs also showed that the infection was in the systemic propagation phase. Bridge to humans Transmission among bats and opossums may occur via their interaction, as these animals compete for habitats in nature, such as tree crowns, and in man-made environments, such as roof gables or backyards, for example.
According to José Luiz Catão-Dias, a co-author of the article and Machado's thesis advisor at FMVZ-USP, opossums are key to this type of surveillance because they adapt well to urban environments without necessarily ceasing to interact with areas of forest.
Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)