Pig populations at risk of Taenia solium cysticercosis and subsequent financial losses in West and Central Africa

Abstract

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a serious problem for pig breeders and a major public health risk in Africa. There is growing interest in eradicating porcine cysticercosis in endemic areas to reduce or eliminate indirectly human taeniasis and neurocysticercosis. However, there is a lack of reliable data on pig populations affected by the disease because of the unavailability of specific diagnostic tools. A stochastic model helped to estimate pig populations at risk of T. solium cysticercosis, prevalence of the disease, and related financial losses in West and Central Africa. Results revealed that over 16 million pigs (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.7-20.1) were kept in conditions favorable to T. solium cysticercosis. The estimated number of pigs infected with this disease was 6.89 million (95% CI: 4.26-9.88), i.e. 30.0% prevalence (95% CI: 26.6-43.8). The estimated direct financial losses for pig farmers and traders were 165 million euros (95% CI: 117.2-213.0). The study highlights the needs to raise awareness on the situation and implement control measures against T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis in both regions.