Human & Pig Parasites

Pigs can be carriers of various types of parasites. Humans are capable of developing infections from pigs due to zoonotic (animal to human) transmission. Infections from parasites occur if you come into contact with fecal material of an infected animal, when you drink contaminated water containing fecal matter, or if you ingest foods that are contaminated.

Ascaris

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Ascariasis is the most common human worm infection." Infections occur when you come into contact with ascaris eggs. For example, if you use pig fertilizer on your garden or crops, you can inadvertently infect yourself with ascaris by ingesting the eggs if you don't wash your hands.

Taenia solium

• T. solium can pass into you when you eat undercooked pork.

  The Taenia solium, or pig tapeworm, can result in an infection known as cysticercosis. Taenia solium tapeworm larvae enter your body and form cysts when you ingest them. Infections occur when you eat undercooked pork, eat or drink contaminated food and water or when you come into contact with infected fecal material (i.e. fertilizer). According to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Arizona, while Taenia solium is rare in the U.S., 5 percent of pigs in Mexico are infected with the tapeworm.

Trichinella

• Wild pigs are carriers of trichinella.

  The worm trichinella is responsible for causing the infection trichinellosis. The CDC states that the disease is more commonly found in "wild meat eating animals." Such animals include wild boars. However, trichinellosis can also occur among domesticated pigs. Infections develop when you eat contaminated raw pork products or when you eat undercooked pork.

Balantidium coli

• Raising pigs can expose you to Balantidium coli.

  Balantidium coli results in the infection balantidiasis. Infections result due to ingesting contaminated foods or drinking contaminated water. However, infections can also develop if you raise pigs and come into accidental contact with pig waste. If you don't wash your hands, you can accidentally contaminate yourself by inhaling Balantidium coli eggs.

Zoonotic Disease Prevention

• Always properly wash your hands.

  You can prevent developing a parasitic infection. It is important to wash your hands after coming into contact with fertilizer or when you've handled swine. If you travel to other countries where sanitation is poor, drink only bottled water and ensure that your food has been properly cooked. Never eat any pork that is undercooked (still pink in the center). Cook pork until the meat reaches an internal temperature of at least 170 degrees F. If you raise pigs, don't allow your pigs to eat raw food products such as meat carcasses.