Concerns About Pork Tapeworm Infection After Handling Fresh Pork

Pork tapeworm parasite

This morning, I went to the market to buy pork (ground pork).
The vendor said the pork was freshly slaughtered.
After I brought it home and handled it, I forgot to wash my hands, but I did use alcohol to disinfect them before eating.
Is there a risk of parasitic infection in this situation? Note: I did not eat raw pork.

NNN, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2023/04/27

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine

No; you can refer to the information from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/ListContent/AHwuigegBBBmuDcbWkzoGQ?uaid=T0MRJj8KVycdb4ZS6EGu_g.
In Hualien County, an indigenous man named Peng Zhaoxi frequently consumed raw wild boar meat.
Over a month ago, he developed a hard lump on the inner side of his left thigh.
After examination at Min-Sheng Hospital in Taoyuan, it was discovered that he had contracted a pork tapeworm due to the raw pork he consumed.
The larvae of the tapeworm had migrated into his thigh's striated muscle, forming a four-centimeter larval cyst.
Dr.
Chen Taiqi, the attending surgeon at Min-Sheng, stated yesterday that the fact that the parasite had not migrated to the brain was "a blessing in disguise." After undergoing surgical removal, Peng Zhaoxi remarked, "I won't dare eat raw pork again."
The 31-year-old Peng Zhaoxi works as a truck driver and cargo handler in Taoyuan and Taipei County.
He mentioned that indigenous people often enjoy eating raw wild boar meat.
In the past one to two years, he had been hunting wild boar in the mountains of Hualien, slaughtering and consuming it raw, particularly favoring the back and leg meat.
Over a month ago, he noticed a painless hard lump on the inner side of his left thigh and sought medical attention, fearing it might be a tumor.
Dr.
Chen performed an ultrasound examination and found an approximately four-centimeter oval cyst within the muscle layer of his left thigh.
After surgical removal and biopsy, it was revealed to be caused by the pork tapeworm, leading to cysticercosis; such parasites were commonly seen in rural areas with poor hygiene in earlier years.

Dr.
Chen explained that the pork tapeworm is a zoonotic parasite, with humans often serving as the definitive host, where the adult worms reside in the intestines.
After entering the human body, the tapeworm lays eggs, and the hatching larvae can penetrate the intestinal wall, migrate into the abdominal cavity, and often inhabit striated muscle, potentially even reaching the brain, eyes, or heart.
If they invade the brain, it could lead to hydrocephalus, and in severe cases, death; if they penetrate the eyes, it may cause retinal damage, potentially resulting in blindness.
The doctor believes Peng Zhaoxi was fortunate that the larval cyst was located in the striated muscle of his thigh, and after surgical removal and antiparasitic medication, he is now out of danger.

Dr.
Chen noted that the pork tapeworm primarily resides in pork but can also be found in beef, sheep, and deer.
Meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption, ideally cooked at temperatures between 80 to 100 degrees Celsius for at least 15 minutes.
Separate cutting boards should be used for raw and cooked foods to prevent parasitic infections.
From this, it can be concluded that the pork tapeworm infection is due to accidental ingestion and frequent consumption; maintaining proper hand hygiene and consuming cooked food should mitigate the risk.

Reply Date: 2023/04/27

More Info

When handling fresh pork, especially ground pork, concerns about potential infections, including those from parasites like the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium), are valid. However, your situation appears to be relatively low-risk based on the details you've provided.

Firstly, it's important to understand how pork tapeworm infections occur. The primary route of transmission is through the consumption of undercooked or raw pork that contains the larvae of the tapeworm. In your case, you mentioned that you did not consume any raw pork, which significantly reduces your risk of infection. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) and allowing it to rest for three minutes before consuming is essential to kill any potential parasites or pathogens.

Regarding your hand hygiene, while you forgot to wash your hands after handling the pork, you did use alcohol to disinfect your hands before eating. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be effective in reducing the number of germs on your hands, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water, especially after handling raw meat. Soap and water are more effective at removing dirt, grease, and certain types of germs, including some viruses and bacteria that may be present on raw meat.

The risk of transferring any potential pathogens from your hands to your food is a concern, but since you did not consume raw pork and used alcohol to sanitize your hands, the likelihood of infection is quite low. However, it is always best practice to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meat and before preparing or consuming any food. This practice helps to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of foodborne illnesses.

In addition to hand hygiene, it is crucial to maintain proper food safety practices in the kitchen. This includes using separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods, such as vegetables and fruits, to avoid cross-contamination. Cleaning surfaces and utensils that have come into contact with raw meat with hot, soapy water is also essential.

If you experience any unusual symptoms after handling pork, such as gastrointestinal issues, it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional. Symptoms of a pork tapeworm infection can include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss, among others. However, these symptoms typically arise from consuming undercooked pork rather than from handling it.

In summary, while there is a theoretical risk of infection from handling fresh pork, your actions—specifically not consuming raw pork and using alcohol to sanitize your hands—have significantly mitigated that risk. Always prioritize thorough handwashing and proper food handling practices to ensure food safety and minimize the risk of infections. If you have further concerns or experience any symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical advice.

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