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Objective The zoonotic helminth Taenia solium is endemic in Zambia, causing human (taeniasis and (neuro)cysticercosis) and pig (porcine cysticercosis) diseases with high health, social and economic burdens. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a health educational program intended to lead to powerful and cumulative improvements in knowledge, attitudes and practices that decrease parasite transmission and disease occurrence. Methods Half‐day health education workshops were conducted in three primary schools in the highly endemic Eastern Province of Zambia, using the computer‐based T. solium educational program ‘The Vicious Worm’. Questionnaires were administered before and after the educational component to determine the program's impact on knowledge uptake in primary school students. Results In total, 99 students participated: 38 males and 61 females, with a median age of 14 years (range 10–18 years). Baseline general knowledge of T. solium, including awareness of the different human and pig disease states, and disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention, was quite high (average score 62%) and consistent across all three study areas. Participants’ knowledge had significantly increased after the educational component, particularly regarding parasite transmission and disease prevention. Conclusion Preliminary assessment of ‘The Vicious Worm’ indicates it is an effective tool for the short‐term T. solium education of primary school students in Zambia. Follow‐up studies are planned to assess the longer term impact of the program on knowledge uptake in the study neighbourhoods. Inclusion of tailored ‘The Vicious Worm’ educational workshops should be considered in integrated cysticercosis control programs in endemic areas of sub‐Saharan Africa.

Taenia saginata (T. saginata)/Taenia solium (T. solium) taeniasis/cysticercosis disease complexes remain a significant challenge for food safety and public health. Human taeniasis is an infectious disease caused by the ingestion of the metacestode larval stage, the cysticerci of T. saginata in beef or T. solium in pork. Humans can also become infected via the ingestion of T. solium eggs. In this case, the cysticerci can establish in the central nervous system, causing the infection called neurocysticercosis. T. solium is of higher importance than T. saginata because the former species can cause neurocysticercosis in humans, a major cause of neurological morbidity in the world. The taeniasis/cysticercosis complex is included in the list of neglected zoonotic diseases by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, with T. solium being the number one foodborne parasite; it occurs mostly in developing countries, such as regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America, where the disease remains endemic. Long absent in Western Europe and other developed countries, cysticercosis has been recently re-emerged as a result of immigration, travel and commerce. In this review, cysticercosis is presented with special emphasis on some aspects of this neglected disease: the main clinical manifestations, risk factors and epidemiology. In addition, any recent advances in diagnostic approaches and treatment are discussed. Finally, the complexities involved in the control of the disease and the need to revise current management strategies are highlighted.

Foodborne zoonoses have been estimated to annually affect 10% of the global population, among which zoonotic parasites constitute an important class of aetiological agents. The major meatborne parasites include the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp., and the helminths Trichinella spp. and Taenia spp., all of which may be transmitted by pork. The significance of zoonotic parasites transmitted by pork consumption is emphasized by the prediction by the Food and Agriculture Organization of an 18.5% increase in world pork production over the next 10 years. Of all the porkborne parasites, the three ‘T' parasites have been responsible for most porkborne illness throughout history; they are still endemic, and therefore are important public-health concerns, in developing countries. Although the risk of porkborne parasites, particularly helminths, may currently be considered insignificant in developed countries, the modern trend of consuming raw meat favours their re-emergence. This paper overviews the main parasites transmitted to humans by pork, and outlines the main lines of prevention.