Seroprevalence of Zoonotic Parasites in Pigs Slaughtered in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal

A study conducted between 2007 and 2010 in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, revealed low but notable seroprevalence of zoonotic parasites in slaughtered pigs. Only 0.1% of the 742 pigs tested positive for Trichinella infection, while 13.8% were found to have T. solium cysticercosis and 11.7% showed signs of Toxoplasma infection. The research highlights the potential risk of pork as a carrier of zoonotic agents, emphasizing the need for enhanced food safety protocols throughout the pork production chain in Nepal. This cross-sectional study used serological methods to assess the infection status of pigs, providing critical data on the prevalence of these parasites and their implications for public health.

Devleesschauwer, B., Pruvot, M., Joshi, D. D., De Craeye, S., Jennes, M., Ale, A., Welinski, A., Lama, S., Aryal, A., Victor, B., Duchateau, L., Speybroeck, N., Vercruysse, J., & Dorny, P. (2013). Seroprevalence of Zoonotic Parasites in Pigs Slaughtered in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 13(12), 872–876. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2013.1313