infectious diseases
Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) Infection and Cysticercosis
Prevention
IntestinalT. soliuminfection can be prevented by cooking whole cuts of pork to ≥ 63° C (≥ 145° F) as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allowing the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming. Ground pork should be cooked to ≥ 71° C (≥ 160° F). Ground pork does not require a rest period. Identifying and treating carriers of adultT. soliumis an important public health measure in preventing cysticercosis. In the United States, transmission has occurred when people who were infected in endemic areas had adultT. soliumin their intestines, then contaminated food with their stool. It is very important that food handlers from endemic areas be taught and adhere to good handwashing practices. When traveling to endemic areas with poor sanitation, people should be careful to avoid foods that might be contaminated by human feces and avoid raw and inadequately cooked pork. 