Prevent tapeworm infections

Farmers have identified the sustainable management of worms in livestock as one of the biggest challenges that they face.

Worms affect livestock as they compete for nutrition with the animals they infect and cause damage to the gut, leading to inefficient feed utilisation and scouring.

During a recent discussion on the tapeworm, Wildlife Vets Namibia said that its infection is caused by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae.

The eggs can migrate outside the intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues or organs.

Wildlife vets said that adult tapeworms in the intestine have little effect on the health of adult farm animals. Large numbers of tapeworms in the intestines of young animals may cause stunting and occasionally trigger severe colic.

"They cause fluid-filled cysts in the body, which is called cystic echinococcosis. The cysts can occur in any organ of the body, from the liver to the lungs, muscles, brain or chewing muscles."

Spread

It is found in a wide range of species, from lions and hyenas, to zebras, buffalo, hippos, impalas and even humans. For some reason, elephants and blue wildebeest do not seem susceptible.

According to Wildlife Vets, the host that carries the actual tapeworm in its gut is rarely clinically affected by the infection. In the intermediate hosts, the cyst grows very slowly, and the animal won’t show any signs until the cysts start damaging adjacent tissues and organs.

What if you encounter a cyst?

The vets say that a predator can be treated with anthelmintic (deworming) drugs, like Praziquantel. However, it is rarely practical in a game ranching environment.

"Sometimes you won’t notice anything, and you only notice the cyst when you slaughter the animal. In that case, discard the affected meat and make sure that scavengers cannot get to it."

Take care

Wildlife Vets says that it should be remembered that this is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans and potentially back again. Humans can become infected by ingesting the parasite’s eggs in contaminated food, water, or via contact with faeces.

The vets recommend that after handling animals, people should always wash their hands; they should not touch faeces with their hands; wear gloves; avoid ingestion of food, water or soil that might be contaminated with animals’ faeces; deworm your dogs; vaccinate your livestock; and work as hygienic as possible in the slaughter area.

"If you find a cyst, never cut it open. Discard the cysts by burning them. Never give infected meat or the cysts to your pet."