Occurrence of zoonotic Giardia spp. in dog faeces from an urban park in Košice
Keywords:
Giardia duodenalis, zoonosis, urban park, dog faeces, prevalence, SlovakiaAbstract
Giardia is a zoonotic parasite posing a health risk to both animals and humans. This study monitored the occurrence of Giardia spp. cysts in dog faeces collected in an urban park in Košice between November 2025 and April 2026. Out of 98 faecal samples examined, 5 tested positive, yielding a prevalence of 5.1%. All positive samples originated from anonymous dogs, indicating inadequate faecal removal and associated risk of environmental contamination. These findings underscore the need for systematic surveillance and education promoting responsible behaviour among dog owners in public urban spaces.
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