Kolkata, Mar 6 (UNI) Taeniasis is an intestinal infection caused by 3 species of tapeworms - Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) and Taenia asiatica.
Humans can become infected with T. saginata or T. asiatica when they consume infected beef meat or pig liver tissue, respectively, which has not been adequately cooked, but taeniasis due toT. saginata or T. asiatica has no major impact on human health. Therefore, this factsheets refers to the transmission and health impacts of T. solium only.
Infection with the T. solium tapeworm occurs when humans eat raw or undercooked, infected pork. Tapeworm eggs pass with the faeces and are infective for pigs. Infection in humans with the T. solium tapeworm causes few clinical symptoms.