A gnawing nightmare: how to avoid the invasion of mice

Autumn is a time of increased activity of mouse rodents. During the warmer months, their population grows significantly, and declining food resources and the impending cold force rats and mice to seek shelter. In an effort to provide themselves with food and warmth, they move whole colonies in close proximity to human homes.

Muscle-like rodents have long lived near a person, mastering the territories of settlements, utility buildings and other objects. This leads to damage to property and damage to economic activities, especially in rural areas. However, there is a much more serious danger: these seemingly harmless animals act as a reservoir, source and carrier of a number of infectious diseases dangerous to humans.

To control the circulation of pathogens of natural focal infections in the Kursk region for many years, studies of mouse-like rodents and environmental objects have been conducted. The results of laboratory tests annually confirm the presence in the region of natural foci of diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), intestinal yersiniosis, pseudotuberculosis, tularemia, leptospirosis and listeriosis.

The risk of infection arises from contact with rodent secretions and contaminated environmental objects - water, soil, household items, food, as well as direct contact with animals.

For example, the causative agent of leptospirosis penetrates the body through damaged mucous membranes and skin during bathing in reservoirs with standing water, when drinking raw water from open sources, as well as when consuming insufficiently thermally processed milk and meat from sick animals.

Infection with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome occurs when inhaling dust containing dried rodent secretions. Transmission of the pathogen is possible through damaged skin and mucous membranes in contact with rodents or contaminated objects - firewood, straw, hay. Infection is also possible when using products contaminated with rodents and not subjected to heat treatment.

Similarly, you can get yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis. The danger increases many times when eating vegetables and fruits that were stored in basements or vegetable stores with access to rodents, if they are not thoroughly cleaned and washed before cooking without heat treatment.

The probability of infection with dangerous natural-focal infections is especially high during periods of high numbers and seasonal migration of rodents (autumn), when animals in search of favorable conditions for wintering overcome distances from 3 to 5 kilometers and settle in close proximity to humans.

The main preventive measures against diseases, the reservoir of which are rodents, should be aimed primarily at eliminating possible contact with them.

Voronezh residents to reduce the risk of natural-focal infections need:

- provide protection of dwellings, outbuildings, places of storage of vegetables with the help of small metal nets or grates;

- systematically (at least 2 times a year) to carry out deratization measures on the territory of garden plots and buildings using means allowed in the territory of the Russian Federation for use in everyday life, in strict accordance with the instructions for use and in compliance with the rules of personal and public safety;

- prevent the formation of landfills of household garbage, food waste, dry land, boulder, which serve as habitats, breeding grounds and a feeding base for rodents;

- use personal protective equipment for work related to the formation of dust - a mask or respirator, mittens or gloves, overalls, shoes;

- products should be stored in containers inaccessible to rodents and do not use products damaged by animals;

do not use water from unsuitable spring sources;

- in case of damage to the skin, all abrasions and scratches should be immediately washed with running water and soap and treated with an antiseptic.

We must not forget that rats, mice and voles are dangerous pests that spread deadly diseases and can always find food next to humans. If you notice signs of rats in your home or on the territory of your store, order deratization of the object from specialized companies.