Development of harmonised schemes for the monitoring and reporting of Cysticercus in animals and foodstuffs in the European Union

Abstract

Harmonised schemes are proposed for the monitoring and the reporting of Cysticercus in animals and foodstuffs in the European Union.The current disease situation and national monitoring in Member States is reviewed in order to identify public health needs in Member States and to create a basis for formulating the sampling plans.The proposal focuses primarily on the species most relevant to public health, namely Taenia saginata and Taenia solium; in addition Taenia multiceps is to be considered in certain areas of the European Union.The animal species to be monitored are cattle for T. saginata and pigs for T. solium.Current monitoring should continue to be based on visual meat inspection according to current European legislation, because more sensitive methods are not yet commercially available or fully validated for a routine diagnosis.However, central recording and reporting of results should be improved, including data on type of infection (light or heavy) and type of animal (adult cattle or calves, and pigs).Moreover the development and validation of a serodiagnostic test for bovine cysticercosis for use as a routine surveillance tool is recommended.