Opossums: Where Lyme disease goes to die

Commentary: Oposums are our friends when it comes to Lyme disease. Research by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook did a study on different types on mammals and the infection rates in ticks in the same area. “Opossums can eat or remove as much as 96 percent of the ticks that land on them. Research also suggests the immune system of opossums is fairly effective at fighting off the disease, so even the ticks that do survive a visit to an opossum are less likely to acquire the disease”. The next time you see an opossum, say thank you.

Opossums: Where Lyme disease goes to die, by John Ferro, Poughkeepsie Journal