Disease Essay: Taenia SaginataTaenia Saginata is a type of tapeworm species found in the muscles of cows. Infections with this parasite begin when humans consume infected and undercooked livestock/beef. This flat white parasite, four to eight meters long, has three parts: the scolex, the neck and the strobila. The scolex has four suckers, which allow it to attach to the intestines. The rest of its body contains its own reproductive system, which includes both the male and female reproductive systems. The Taenia Saginata does not have a digestive system and therefore obtains its nutrients from the human intestines. There is a cycle that the Taenia Saginata parasite finds itself in. Taenia Saginata reservoirs usually begin in intermediate hosts such as: cows, reindeer, camels or sheep – usually animals infected with the parasite. Taenia Saginata then moves to definitive hosts through humans consuming infected beef. There are usually no vectors, but Diptera can carry T. Saginata eggs. The mode of transmission of Taenia Saginata first begins in animals, the definitive hosts, which feed on plants found in soil containing Taenia Saginata eggs, which eventually become infected. Once the infected meat has been ingested by humans, the intermediate hosts, the eggs begin to develop into adult tapeworms found in the intestines of humans. Whether animals or humans are infected, the transmission is rather very similar. It must be ingested, whether the eggs are found in feces or in meat, the mode of transmission is usually through consumption of the eggs. In addition, lack of hygiene plays an important role in transmission. Taenia Saginata is similar to Taenia Solium, and when T. Saginata was first discovered in the 1700s...... middle of paper ...... roughly Treatment for the disease could include until the parasite returns to its normal adult form. Over the past two years, four cases reported in Korea tested positive for Taenia Saginata. To be more precise, they found the coxl gene when tested with PCR-RFLP. Research to develop a vaccine against infected animals is underway, but none for humans. Additionally, public health laws are in place to prevent the sale of infected cattle to meat-eating humans. There are many ways to contract such a disease and, whether it is from contaminated meats and water or poor hygiene, there are a few preventive measures that should be taken. For example, cooking meat thoroughly using food thermometers to indicate that the meat is done can be used during cooking. Also, clean fruits and vegetables that may have come into contact with infected feces.