In 1997 the presence of ticks Ixodes ricinus infected with the agent of Lyme borreliosis was detected on the vegetation of Kosice 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.

Parasitological Institute Slovak Academy of Sciences Kosice Slovak Republic

Spatial and Temporal Variability in Prevalence Rates of Members of the Borrelia burgdorferi Species Complex in Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Urban, Agricultural and Sylvatic Habitats in Slovakia