Dacha owners need to ensure that there is no tall grass on their plots, as ticks and snakes may hide in it, warned Andrey Tyazhelnikov, the chief freelance specialist in primary medical care at the Moscow Department of Health, in a comment to RIA Novosti.
According to him, ticks and snakes pose a danger to dacha owners. It is important to make sure that there is no tall grass on the plot, where these “uninvited guests” may hide. Equally important is to regularly inspect oneself, wear clothing that covers the body tightly, as well as high boots, especially when venturing into the forest.
Tyazhelnikov noted that in some cases, it is advisable for dacha owners to be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis in advance.
Ticks are carriers of several infectious diseases. The most dangerous of them include:
- Tick-borne encephalitis,
- Lyme disease (tick-borne borreliosis),
- Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and human monocytic ehrlichiosis.
In case of a tick bite, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If this is not possible, the tick can be removed independently using thread, tweezers, or a special tick removal tool. It is crucial to remove the tick entirely. Do not tear it off the skin, as there is a risk that the head will remain inside, and it is through the tick’s saliva that infectious agents enter the body.
Vaccination is recommended for the prevention of diseases transmitted by ticks.