During a routine inspection of the mosquito fauna in the Košická Basin (Eastern Slovakia), in one of the monitored locations we have caught 4 females of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus, using the CO2 baited CDC traps. Occurrence of this particular mosquito has already been reported in many European countries; in Slovakia, however, this is the first finding ever. The finding of Ae. albopictus extends the list of the mosquito fauna in Slovakia to 50 species and Slovakia thus ranks among other 20 European countries where this mosquito was observed. The presence of Ae. albopictus increased the probability of transmission of canine and human dirofilariosis in urban environment.
The aim of the present study was to collect data from Eastern Slovak Lowland, southern Slovakia, to assess risk of the spread of canine dirofilariosis. Climate and environmental conditions in the Eastern Slovak Lowland are ideally suitable for the occurrence of vector-borne diseases. In the past, an endemic locality of dangerous mosquito transmitted malaria was found in this area. Today, another zoonotic parasitic disease threatens – dirofilariosis. The results of the first detailed study revealed a 34.44% prevalence in dogs harbouring dirofilariae. D. repens was diagnosed in all infected specimen, with 2 individuals being co-infected also with D. immitis.