Prevalence of Taenia Solium in Pig and its Public Health Importance in Kirtipur Municipality

Abstract

During the study period from November 2007 to August 2008, a total of 150 pigs slaughtered for meat were examined for Taenia cyst. The surveyed found only a single pig slaughtering place in the Kirtipur municipality.The butchers and the meat consumer were found to have no knowledge about the zoonotic diseases caused by Taenia sp. The slaughtered animals were observed categorizing them into male, female, adult and calves.Out of total examined hosts, 6 pigs (4.00%) were found positive for Taenia cysts.Among these 6 positive samples, sexwise prevalence rate of infection were 3.33% in males and 4.44% in females but the difference were not found significant statistically(χ , 1d.f = 0.080). The results revealed that females were infected more often than the males. Again adults (4.16%) were found infected more than the young ones (3.33%)which were not found statistically significant as well (χ0.05132 0.05, 1d.f = 0.043).Out of total examined samples, 6 (4.00%) pigs were found positive for Taenia cysts. 5(83.33%) of them had cysts distributed throughout the whole body. 1(16.66%) animal had cysts of the Taenia only in the neck region.Out of 708 total cases recorded from Teaching hospital during 2060-2065, 98 patients were confirmed with cysticercosis. Among the 98 infected patients 33 were females, while 65 were males. The results revealed that males were infected more than females.The study also include the recommendation to overcome the diseases caused by Taenia cysts which include the practice of hygienic condition,preventing pigs from consuming the human excreta and proper cooking of the meat of host.