Adult tapeworms cause an intestinal infection called Taeniasis, of which Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) has a major impact on human health. Tapeworm eggs pass with the faeces and are infective for pigs. Humans can become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked, infected pork. Infection can result in two distinct conditions: taeniasis and cysticercosis. While the adult tapeworm in the human intestine (taeniasis) does not have major health impacts cysticercosis can result in devastating effects on human health. The larvae may develop in the muscles, skin, eyes and the central nervous system. When cysts develop in the brain, the condition is referred to as neurocysticercosis. Symptoms include severe headache, blindness, convulsions, and epileptic seizures, and can be fatal. To prevent, control and possibly eliminate Taenia solium, proper public health interventions with an approach spanning veterinary, human health and environmental sectors are required.

Adult tapeworms cause an intestinal infection called Taeniasis, of which Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) has a major impact on human health. Tapeworm eggs pass with the faeces and are infective for pigs. Humans can become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked, infected pork. Infection can result in two distinct conditions: taeniasis and cysticercosis. While the adult tapeworm in the human intestine (taeniasis) does not have major health impacts cysticercosis can result in devastating effects on human health. The larvae may develop in the muscles, skin, eyes and the central nervous system. When cysts develop in the brain, the condition is referred to as neurocysticercosis. Symptoms include severe headache, blindness, convulsions, and epileptic seizures, and can be fatal. To prevent, control and possibly eliminate Taenia solium, proper public health interventions with an approach spanning veterinary, human health and environmental sectors are required.