Science in 5

Author: WHO - World Health Organization

Science in 5 is WHOs conversations in science. Listen to WHO experts explaining science related to COVID-19.
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Genres: Health & Fitness, Life Sciences, Medicine, Science

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Pig Tapeworm – from gut to brain
Episode 145
Friday, 24 October, 2025

A worm that can cause epilepsy? Meet Taenia solium — the pig tapeworm that travels from gut to brain, causing seizures and preventable epilepsy in millions. In this episode of Science in 5, Dr Bernadette Abela explains how this parasite spreads when pigs eat human feces and humans consume contaminated food or water — and what we can do to stop it. Learn how cooking meat properly, improving hygiene, and vaccinating pigs can break the cycle.