Beef tapeworm

Humans acquire the infection by eating the undercooked flesh of cattle. While the infection does not usually present symptoms, stomach pain, diarrhoea and weight loss may occur. Detached whitish-yellow opaque segments of the tapeworm are motile and can emerge spontaneously from the rectum - the positive diagnosis of a tapeworm infection. Medications are available for treatment. Prevention includes eating beef that has gone through inspection and/or is well-cooked.

Beef tapeworm Taenia saginata is common in Mexico, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.