B68: Taeniasis

B68.1: Taenia saginata taeniasis

Beef tapeworms are usually ingested via raw meat. It can grow up to several meters long in the bowel. A beef tapeworm does not usually cause any symptoms. People can sometimes have diarrhea or lose weight due to the tapeworm.

Beef tapeworms are found all over the world. They are most common in Africa, South America and Asia. Infection can usually be prevented by taking certain measures. These include heating meat properly before eating it, or freezing it for several days.