An increase in the number of tick bites has been reported in Dagestan, causing concern among public health authorities. At a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Sanitary and Anti-Epidemic Work, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Abdurakhman Makhmudov, the officials voiced a 11% rise in tick bite cases compared to the previous year.

The Deputy Prime Minister called on the heads of municipalities and districts to intensify the treatment of places where people gather in large numbers, such as parks, cemeteries, squares and schools.

The Department of Rospotrebnadzor (Russia’s consumer safety watchdog) across the Republic of Dagestan was instructed to develop and distribute information materials on tick bites through mass media and social networks. The regional Public Health Minister Tatyana Belyayeva also called for inspections of pets after walks. Specialists warn that animals can become a source of dangerous diseases.

Abdurakhman Makhmudov noted that administrative fines may be imposed for failure to comply with the orders of the Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Dagestan.