The Epidemiology of Human Cysticercosis and Diagnostic Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

The prevalence of human cysticercosis (HCC) in sub-Saharan Africa ranges from 0.3% to 72%.
These prevalence estimates are highly dependent on the community and population involved in the
study and the diagnostic test used. The disease is an important cause of acquired epilepsy that it
contributes to about 29% of all epileptic cases worldwide. It is therefore imperative that the status and
epidemiology of HCC is monitored. However, HCC is a neglected disease that it has acquired little
attention worldwide. There is no single ideal system in place for diagnosis and hence, the surveillance
of the disease in both developed and developing countries. This chapter reports the epidemiological
status and the diagnostic challenges of the disease in the sub-Saharan Africa region. The chapter
further proposes how surveillance of the disease can be carried out.