"Be careful, dacha! How to protect yourself from hidden dangers"

      Mikhail Lebedev, leading expert at CMD of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, tells us. Preparing the dacha for summer is a whole range of activities, including cleaning the house and the plot, processing the territory, checking water supply, electrical networks, heating, and carrying out necessary repair and restoration work. However, protective measures against potential biological threats, sometimes even invisible ones, are of particular importance.

      Ticks

      Ticks are potential carriers of viral tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease), granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans (GAH), monocytic ehrlichiosis in humans (MEH), and rickettsioses (tick-borne spotted fevers). And, of course, the presence of these arthropods on your plot is extremely undesirable.

      First, it is necessary to eliminate dry wood, get rid of leaves and debris. Then, acaricidal treatment of the territory should be carried out. The best time for it is when the snow has melted, the soil has warmed up, and dry, warm, windless weather has settled. The treatment should be carried out in dry, windless weather, in the morning or evening (without active sunlight). It is extremely important that there is no rain for 48 hours after treatment.

      Acaricidal preparations used to combat arthropods differ in active ingredients: organophosphates, sulfur-containing, pyrethroids (cypermethrin, permethrin), etc. When choosing a remedy, carefully study the instructions for use and the composition of the preparation. Some acaricides kill not only ticks but also other insects; some are effective against adults but do not act on eggs and larvae.

      When treating, strictly follow the instructions. Be sure to use personal protective equipment, and remember that acaricidal agents are toxic. Avoid getting the preparation into wells, children's sandboxes, and bird feeders. After treatment, it is better not to stay on the plot for several days (exact terms depend on the preparation used).

      In the fall, the plot should be treated a second time – this will help reduce the population of parasites, and next spring there will be much fewer of them.

      Important!

      The optimal and most reliable option is to entrust the acaricidal treatment of the garden plot to professionals – specialized disinfection services.

      Rodents

      Rodents (field mice, forest mice, rats) living outside populated areas – in dacha plots and natural conditions – can spread several dangerous infections to humans: rabies, tularemia, yersiniosis, some helminthiases, and even plague.

      The pathogens of infections are excreted with the products of rodent life, contaminating food products and water. A number of infections can be transmitted by rodents through direct contact with humans. Some infections can be transmitted by carriers: fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and others.

      The most common infection is "mouse fever" or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) – an acute viral zoonotic infection characterized by kidney damage with the development of renal failure and hemorrhagic syndrome, high fever, and pronounced general intoxication.

      The main hosts and carriers of HFRS pathogens (hantaviruses) are field mice. Outbreaks of the disease are more often noted in summer and autumn, during the dacha season. That is why HFRS is sometimes called "fever of dusty dachas."

      Rodents excrete the virus with saliva, urine, and feces. Human infection occurs when inhaling dust with particles of rodent life products, consuming food and water contaminated by them. Infection can occur even if you simply do not wash your hands after working in the garden or cleaning the house.

      Tularemia

      Tularemia is a natural focal infectious disease of bacterial nature, characterized by intoxication, fever, damage to lymph nodes, skin, and sometimes mucous membranes of the eyes, lungs, and intestines. Rodents (voles, house mice, and rats, water rats) are the main reservoirs and spreaders of the disease. The infection penetrates through the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, and damaged skin during direct contact with an infected animal (alive or dead); with contaminated food and water; when inhaling dust with products of rodent life. To protect against tularemia, it is also necessary to remember about disinfection – combating possible carriers of the pathogen, blood-sucking arthropods.

      Rabies

      Rabies is an acute, particularly dangerous viral infection that affects all mammals, including humans. The virus affects the central nervous system and causes irreversible changes in the brain – polyencephalitis. The mortality rate from rabies is 100%. The only possible method of treating rabies is post-exposure prophylaxis – vaccination before the onset of symptoms, during the incubation period. All mammals can be carriers of rabies, but most often it is dogs, foxes, cats, and hedgehogs. However, one should not forget about rodents – rats and mice.

      Important!

      Be sure to vaccinate your pets against rabies, especially if you take them out of town, to the dacha.

      How to protect yourself from rodents

      The main method is deratization, which, when carried out systematically, allows controlling rodent populations near housing. In addition, one should prevent rats and mice from entering premises. Inspect the house and outbuildings for cracks through which rodents can enter and seal them. Food should be stored in places inaccessible to rodents in strong, airtight packaging. If rodents have accessed food supplies – they should be disposed of without any regret. When encountering a rodent, do not try to touch it! And if it bites you – urgently go to the trauma center for rabies prophylaxis. If you cannot solve the problem with rodents on your own, contact specialists.

      Basic rules for preparing for the opening of the dacha season

      Before starting cleaning, ventilate all rooms well. To protect mucous membranes from dust with particles of rodent feces, use a respirator (mask) and gloves. Moisturize the rooms with water before sweeping the floor, so that the dust settles – wet cleaning reduces the risk of aerosol infection. Wash all surfaces using disinfectants, and it is advisable to pour boiling water over dishes. Dry mattresses, pillows, and bedspreads in the sun, wash linen at a temperature of at least 60°C and iron it.

      After cleaning, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and change your clothes.

      More useful information on sanitary safety and the prevention of dangerous diseases can be found on the website sanshit.ru.