Mumbai Monsoon May Trigger Brain-Affecting Tapeworm Infections: How Are They Caused? Dos & Don'ts
Mumbai Monsoon May Trigger Brain-Affecting Tapeworm Infections: Neurocysticercosis is a serious brain infection caused by the larval form of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)
Amid the monsoon, Mumbai's doctors have issued a warning against brain-affecting tapeworm infections or neurocysticercosis. A hospital in Mumbai has issued an advisory stating that an increase in tapeworm infections has been observed in many parts of the country, particularly in metropolitan cities, in recent days.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC, it is a preventable parasitic disease. But it remains common in areas with poor sanitation and a lack of awareness.
What is neurocysticercosis or brain-affecting tapeworm?
Neurocysticercosis is a serious brain infection caused by the larval form of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium). It's common in areas with poor sanitation and where pork is eaten.
What are the causes of neurocysticercosis?
You get neurocysticercosis by ingesting Taenia solium eggs, not from eating undercooked pork (that's how people get the adult tapeworm, which is different).
Main causes:
Not washing hands after using the toilet.
Close contact with a person who has an intestinal tapeworm and poor hygiene
Humans spread the eggs to other humans — not pigs.
Why is Mumbai monsoon a cause for concern for brain-affecting tapeworm?
Heavy rain often floods sewage systems, leading to mixing of human feces with water sources. This increases the risk of ingesting water or food contaminated with Taenia solium eggs (from human feces).
In many rural and urban slum areas, toilets overflow or open defecation increases during the monsoon. Unhygienic conditions favour the spread of parasitic eggs via dirty hands, food, or surfaces.
People tend to eat hot street foods during the monsoon, but these are often prepared in unsanitary environments with contaminated water. If the cook is an asymptomatic tapeworm carrier with poor hygiene, they can spread eggs through their hands.
Leafy vegetables or raw foods washed in flood-contaminated water may carry T. solium eggs. If eaten raw or undercooked, this increases infection risk.
Monsoon brings a general rise in parasitic and water-borne diseases, including amoebiasis, giardiasis, and bacterial infections, which can weaken the immune system, making neurocysticercosis harder to fight off if contracted.
What are the symptoms of neurocysticercosis?
Symptoms vary depending on where the cysts are in the brain and how many there are.
Common symptoms:
Seizures (most common)
Headaches
Nausea/vomiting
Confusion
Vision problems
Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)
Stroke-like symptoms
Sometimes no symptoms at all (until years later)
What is the treatment for neurocysticercosis?
Treatment depends on:
Number and location of cysts
Whether the cysts are active or dead
Severity of symptoms
Main treatments:
Anti-parasitic drugs: Albendazole or Praziquantel to kill the larvae
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Steroids like dexamethasone to reduce brain swelling
Anti-seizure medications: To control seizures
Surgery (in severe cases): To remove cysts or treat hydrocephalus
Dos
Wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating or preparing food
Wash hands after using the toilet
Drink clean, safe water
Eat well-cooked pork (kills cysts — but remember, this prevents intestinal tapeworm, not neurocysticercosis directly)
Keep nails trimmed and clean
Deworm individuals in at-risk populations.
Don'ts
Drink untreated water
Eat raw or undercooked pork
Ignore seizures or neurological symptoms
With Agency Inputs
About the Author
Manjiri Joshi
At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More
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First Published:
July 29, 2025, 12:05 IST
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