What infections can Nizhny Novgorod dacha owners catch, the doctor explained.

      May 3, 2026 14:34 SocietySpring trips to the dacha can lead to serious health problems. What dangerous infections Nizhny Novgorod residents may encounter on their plots was explained to the "Living in Nizhny" portal by the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at PIMU, Doctor of Medical Sciences Viktor Krasnov. Among the most likely threats, he named hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, known as "mouse" fever, as well as tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis, tularemia, and rabies. You can contract "mouse" fever during a regular cleaning of the dacha house—just inhaling dust containing rodent droppings is enough. The risk also arises from consuming unboiled water from open sources, where such droppings may have entered. The disease begins acutely: the temperature rises to 39-40 degrees, severe headache, lower back pain, and decreased urine output appear. With warming, ticks that carry encephalitis and borreliosis become active. Besides tick bites, encephalitis can also be contracted through raw goat or cow milk. "In the case of borreliosis, a typical symptom is the appearance of a red, enlarging spot at the site of the bite, gradually starting to fade towards the center and acquiring a target-like shape," explained Viktor Krasnov. Although tularemia is not common, cases of the disease are possible in the region. The infection is transmitted through bites from horseflies and mosquitoes, contact with rodents, consumption of contaminated water, and even during hay cleaning. The disease is characterized by sudden weakness, high fever up to 40 degrees, and swollen lymph nodes. Rabies poses a separate danger—a deadly infection that can be contracted through a bite or saliva from an infected animal. Symptoms include pain at the site of injury, behavioral changes from depressed to aggressive, paralysis, and hydrophobia. To reduce risks, the doctor recommends conducting the first cleaning using a wet method with chlorine-containing agents, always using a respirator and gloves. It is also necessary to use repellents, check yourself and children for ticks every 20 minutes, consume only boiled water and milk, and avoid contact with wild animals behaving unusually. If symptoms of any of the listed infections appear, seek medical help immediately, as attempts at self-treatment can lead to severe complications. It was previously reported that more than 25 residents of Nizhny Novgorod have contracted mouse fever in 2026. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+