Taeniasis among refugees on the Thailand-Burma border

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), caused by Taenia solium larvae, is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in developing countries and increasingly reported among refugees in non-endemic regions. This pilot study assessed the prevalence of human taeniasis and its association with owning heavily infected pigs in the Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp. Using fecal ELISA and microscopy, we found a 2.8% prevalence of taeniasis and 2.5% prevalence of tongue-positive pigs. Owning an infected pig was not significantly associated with taeniasis, while pork consumption outside the camp and self-reported worm passage were strong predictors. Findings suggest targeted screening and prevention strategies for refugee populations.