Tapeworm infection

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

To prevent tapeworm infection:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.
  • When traveling in areas where tapeworm is found, wash and cook all fruits and vegetables with safe water before eating.
  • Eliminate livestock exposure to tapeworm eggs by properly disposing of animal and human feces.
  • Thoroughly cook meat at temperatures of at least 150 F (66 C) to kill tapeworm eggs or larvae.
  • Freeze meat for at least 12 hours and fish for at least 24 hours to kill tapeworm eggs and larvae.
  • Avoid eating raw or undercooked pork, beef and fish.
  • Promptly treat dogs infected with tapeworm.

DS00659

Nov. 29, 2007

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger