Modeling the risk of introducing cyst-infected meat pork into the food chain in Benin

BACKGROUND: Poorly cooked pork containing Taenia solium cestode larvae contributes to human cysticercosis, a neglected zoonotic disease. Pork is consumed by a majority of the Benin population, and the cooking of popular dishes may not be sufficient to destroy cestode larvae. This study's aim was to estimate the risk of allowing pork contaminated with Taenia solium cysticerci into the food chain. METHODS: A stochastic risk assessment was developed in R to model the risk resulting from the three scenarios leading to contaminated pork being introduced into the food chain. The model was parameterized using official animal health surveillance data, published literature and expert opinion. RESULTS: The overall probability of cyst-infected meat pork entering the food chain was estimated at 0.41 (95%Crl 0.34-0.48); from informal abattoirs without meat inspection: 0.16 (95%Crl 0.08-0.22) (scenario 1); from non-detection at inspection in formal abattoirs (scenario 2): 0.24 (95%Crl 0.16-0.35); and 0.007(95%Crl 0.001-0.021) from remaining contamination following partial condemnation of positive carcasses (scenario 3). The total number of cyst-infected meat pork that entered the food chain from 2020 to 2023 was estimated at 89,167 (95%Crl 60,43-115,174). CONCLUSION: The risk of cyst-infected meat pork entering the food chain is high. In addition to efforts to improve sanitation and pig farming practices, mitigation measures should also reinforce slaughterhouse inspection with tests that are more sensitive.