Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the main disease caused by Taenia solium in humans, and the cause of 30% of all epilepsies in endemic countries where basic ...Skiptomaincontent COVID-19FUND—DONATENOW!HomeTopicsTaeniasoliumTaeniasis/cysticercosisTaeniasoliumTaeniasis/cysticercosisNeurocysticercosis(NCC)isthemaindiseasecausedbyTaeniasoliuminhumans,andthecauseof30%ofallepilepsiesinendemiccountrieswherebasichygieneandsanitationmeasuresarenotadequateandwherebackyardpigsareraisedincontactwithhumanfeces.PeoplecandevelopNCCwhentheyingestT.soliumeggsthroughfaecal-oralcontaminationorbyingestingfoodcontaminatedwitheggsfromthefaecesofapersonwhohastheadulttapeworm.Taeniasis(theadulttapewormparasite)isacquiredbyeatingraworundercookedporkmeatinfectedwithcysticerci.Consideringthelifecycleoftheparasite,tocontrolthetransmissionofT.soliumisnecessaryacollaborative,multisectoral,andtrans-disciplinaryapproachthatconnectexpertsfromhuman,animal,andenvironmentalhealthdisciplines.Coordinatedinterventionsinclude:Preventivechemotherapyforthecontroloftaeniasis(Diseaseproducedbythetapeworm);improvementofbasicsanitationandgoodhygienicpractices;improvementofpighusbandryandvaccinationanddewormingofpigsinendemicareas;andimprovementmeatinspectionandprocessingofmeatproducts. PAHO,withintheResolutionoftheBoardofDirectorsCD55.R9of2016,approvedanactionplanfortheeliminationofNeglectedInfectiousDiseases(NID),includingamongtheobjectivesandprioritiestointerruptthetransmissionandeliminationoftaeniasis/cysticercosis,througha“Onehealth”approach,whichpromotesintersectoralcollaborationsthatcoverthethreeareasofinterestinvolvedinthecycle:humanhealth,veterinaryhealthandenvironmentalhealth. TaeniasisandCysticercosisintheAmericasforGeneralPublic;2018Factsheet WhatPAHOdoes PAHO/WHOworkscloselywithotheragencies,suchastheUnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)andtheWorldOrganizationforAnimalHealth(OIE)ininterdisciplinarycollaborationtocontrolT.solium.PAHO/WHOsupportscountriesinidentifyingendemiccommunitiesandareaswh