POTENTIAL FOCI OF LYME BORRELIOSIS
IN TOWNS
Nadzamová D. 1 , Peťko B. 1 , Štefančíková A. 1 , Čisláková L. 2 , Štěpánová G. 3 , Šeba M. 1
1 Parasitological Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice |
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Summary:
In 1997 the presence of ticks Ixodes ricinus infected with the agent of Lyme borreliosis was detected on the vegetation of Košice urban
agglomeration. The density of ticks on the vegetation of pericentral area islands of forest stands and neglected gardens was 2.4 times lower
than that observed in a peripheral park forest. Only sporadical findings of ticks were reported from the industrial central part of town with
remnants of uncultivated vegetation. Central parks and housing estates were actually tick-free. Borrelia-infected ticks, from 12.8 to 15 %
were found in the park forest and pericentral areas. The results indicate potential risks for humans and domestic animals coming in contact
with borrelia-infected ticks, also in the territory of large towns.
Key words:
ticks, Borrelia burgdorferi, Košice, Slovakia
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