Potential Elimination of Active <i>Taenia solium</i> Transmission in Africa
Sarah Gabriël, Kabemba E. Mwape, Emma C. Hobbs, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Inge Van Damme, Gideon Zulu, Mwelwa Chembensofu, Chishimba Mubanga, Maxwell Masuku, Moses Mambwe, Tine De Coster, Isaac K. Phiri, Dirk Berkvens, Angie Colston, Emmanuel Bottieau, Niko Speybroeck, Jennifer Ketzis, Arve Lee Willingham, Chiara Trevisan, Pierre Dorny
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR:\nTaeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium are major foodborne parasitic zoonoses that severely affect public health, social, and economic sectors, with the burden of neurocysticercosis estimated at 2,788,426 disability-adjusted life-years.1 A study involving an integrated intervention program in humans and pigs showed elimination of transmission of T. solium in Peru.2 This study provided important proof of concept; however, similar studies of T. solium elimination have not been completed in sub-Saharan Africa, where the prevalence of this infection and the level of poverty are higher than in Peru.