Protecting Livestock. Improving Human Lives

It’s time to eradicate the main cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world through collaboration

Author: GALVmed

Year: 2017

About this Publication:

A new comprehensive study into the control of a parasite in pigs has reached compelling conclusions with key recommendations to combat this eradicable but neglected disease, which leads to around 5 million human infections and 50,000 human deaths each year. The most significant form of the disease is neurocysticercosis, which causes approximately 30% of epilepsy cases in humans in the developing world and impacts the economies of many poor countries. GALVmed's study results show that when used in combination, the pig vaccine Cysvax® and the dewormer treatment Paranthic™ 10%, eliminate the infectious cysts in pigs. However, an integrated human and animal health approach is needed to address lack of awareness of the disease, poor human hygiene and sanitation as well as poor animal husbandry practices.

Grant: PLSHL2

Subject Areas: Policy and Advocacy

Diseases: Porcine Cysticercosis

Keywords:

Porcine Cysticercosis, developing world, epilepsy, pork tapeworm, synthesis

Countries:

India, Nepal, South Africa, Tanzania, United Republic Of, Uganda, Zambia

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