Bovine Cysticercosis

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE OCTOBER 2014 

VETERINARY SERVICES

As part of its safeguarding mission, the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS) works to maintain 

the health of U.S. livestock. This work includes 

preventing and controlling livestock diseases that 

are considered zoonotic, or have the potential to 

affect both people and animals. By addressing these 

diseases, USDA helps protect public health as well.

One zoonotic disease livestock producers should 

be aware of is bovine cysticercosis. This disease is 

caused when cattle eat tapeworm eggs, the eggs 

grow into larvae, and the larvae form cysts in the 

cattle’s muscle. 

Bovine cysticercosis is a concern because it usually 

indicates that human feces have contaminated the 

animal feed system (see “Disease Spread” section 

on next page). If the source of contamination is not 

eliminated, the animals can be exposed to more 

bacteria and parasites, as well as drug residues or 

toxins. This negatively impacts the wholesomeness 

of meat products from the exposed animals.

Signs of Infection

In People

People can become infected when they eat raw 

or undercooked meat containing the tapeworm 

larval cysts. The larvae then grow into adult 

tapeworms in the person’s intestines. In people, 

the disease is referred to as Taeniasis. It usually 

doesn’t cause illness in people, but can cause 

abdominal discomfort, nausea, and itchiness in 

the anal region. Taeniasis is easily treated by a 

physician. The disease can be found throughout 

the world, but is mainly seen in Africa, Latin America, 

Asia, and the Mediterranean.

In Cattle

Outward signs of bovine cysticercosis in infected 

cattle are rare. The tapeworm larvae live in the 

animal’s muscle tissue, particularly the heart, facial 

muscles surrounding the jaw, diaphragm, and 

tongue. Bovine cysticercosis is therefore difficult to 

diagnose in live animals, but if the animal is heavily 

infested, cysts may be felt on the tongue and face. 

The majority of cases are identified during visual 

inspection at slaughter, with samples sent to a 

laboratory for confirmation. If infection is confirmed, 

the meat will be destroyed or frozen to inactivate the 

cysts and prevent transmission to people.

Figure 1. Lifecycle of Cysticercus bovis/Taenia saginata
Reporting and Investigation

When cysts are detected at slaughter, USDA’s 

Food Safety and Inspection Service notifies APHIS. 

We then use trained veterinarians to conduct an 

epidemiologic investigation and trace the disease 

to its State of origin. APHIS will notify the State 

veterinarian and State public health officials in the 

animal’s State of origin. We also help cattle owners 

at affected farms identify ways they can prevent the 

disease from occurring again in the future.

Disease Spread

Cattle can be exposed to tapeworm larvae in a 

variety of ways, including:

• Consuming tapeworm eggs carried into 

the feed system by poor biosecurity or 

sanitation practices.

• Eating feed or drinking water contaminated 

by human feces.

• Drinking water contaminated by sewage in 

a pasture, feedlot, or cropland.

• Ingesting tapeworm eggs carried into the feed 

system by wildlife, insects, or other bugs.

As mentioned previously, people become infected 

by eating raw or undercooked meat containing 

tapeworm cysts. They then shed the tapeworm 

eggs in their feces. 

The parasite cannot spread directly between 

cattle. Cattle only become infected when they eat 

tapeworm eggs or segments that came from an 

infected person’s feces. The eggs can survive in the 

environment for many months if the temperature 

and humidity are favorable. 

Treatment

There is no effective treatment for this disease 

in live cattle. However, a veterinarian can provide 

a long course of anthelmintics (drugs that act 

against infections by parasitic worms) to help 

address clinical signs or offer corticosteroids as 

a supportive therapy. 

Prevention

The best way to prevent bovine cysticercosis 

is to practice good biosecurity. You should do 

everything you can to prevent human feces from 

contaminating your pasture or animal feed system. 

Some best practices include: providing toilet and 

handwashing facilities for workers (e.g., portable 

bathrooms), washing hands with soap and warm 

water after using the toilet or changing diapers, 

and not using human feces as fertilizer. Also, if 

your cattle graze near sewage plants, treat their 

water appropriately.

For More Information

For more information and assistance, contact 

the APHIS Veterinary Services office in your State. 

Visit our Web site for contact information at 

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/state-offices.

Other Resources

Iowa State University 

www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/taenia.pdf 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.cdc.gov/parasites/taeniasis 

World Health Organization

www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs376/en 

World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

www.oie.int/doc/ged/D12797.PDF 

USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider 

APHIS 91-45-019 and employer.