The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) recently released a manual concerning the control of the parasite Taenia solium, the cause of neurocysticercosis. This infection is one of the most important causes of epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), specially in the poorest and more marginalised communities. In some communities in LAC, up to 70% of the epilepsies are caused by T. solium.
PAHO has been increasing efforts to facilitate the control of T. solium, as part of their plan for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in the region. In a new initiative, PAHO has published the manual “Practical considerations for the control of taeniasis and cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium – contribution to the control of T. solium in Latin America and the Caribbean”. This document aims to facilitate the planning, implementation and evaluation of pragmatic actions for the successful control of T. solium.
The document emphasises the importance of intersectoral collaboration, within the scope of "One Health", in which different sectors (human health, animal health and environmental health) must work together closely to achieve a common objective. The document is targeted to medical professionals, veterinarians and other "One Health" professionals interested in the control of T. solium, as well as to all persons and institutions working in the control of neglected diseases, including national authorities of health, livestock, education and housing and environment.
The document provides details on the cycle of the parasite, the different clinical manifestations of the disease, the tools that are available for the control of T. solium transmission, as well as the considerations needed in developing a control program including monitoring and evaluation. The manual has been published in Spanish, and it is being translated into English.
An on-line course based on the manual is also available in Spanish at the PAHO Virtual Campus for Public Health Control de teniasis y cisticercosis causadas por Taenia solium - 2020.