When planning to go to the dacha, especially with children, it is worth remembering that there are many animals in the countryside that can pose a danger.
And it is not only about snakes or forest predators, and not even about village cattle and birds that can kick, butt, or peck.
- The desire of children, and often adults, to interact with cute animals in the countryside or nature is quite understandable. But the consequences of this interaction can be very serious. Besides stray cats and dogs, hedgehogs, hares, rodents, and even any birds pose a great danger," said allergist-immunologist Pavel Berezhansky to journalists.
What to be afraid of?
Of all the diseases that can be transmitted, the most insidious is rabies, which can be fatal.
The main danger lies in the fact that sick animals — hedgehogs, bunnies, and others — often do not show aggression and are not afraid of humans. On the contrary, they are unusually affectionate.
In case of a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva, it is necessary to urgently go to the trauma center. Doctors will perform emergency vaccination and administer immunoglobulins to neutralize the virus.
As for hedgehogs, whose photos are currently being actively shared on social media by Latvians, they are not only active carriers of rabies but also tick-borne encephalitis, as ticks inhabit their spines.
Hedgehogs can also transmit leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and various types of ringworm through direct contact and petting.
Even if you just petted a hedgehog and then scratched your hand or rubbed your eyes, the infection can easily be transmitted. It turns out that hedgehogs, although cute, are quite dangerous animals.
