It’s time to eradicate the main cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world through collaboration
Neurocysticercosis causes approximately 30% of epilepsy cases in humans in the developing world
Abstract
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.
This is an output from the ‘Global Alliance For Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed): Phase 2 – Protecting Livestock and Saving Human Lives’ programme
Citation
GALVmed (2017) It’s time to eradicate the main cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world through collaboration
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