An epizootic of bovine cysticercosis.

In March, 1973, a large feedlot near Phoenix, AZ, reported an increased incidence of bovine cysticercosis. Approximately 10% of cattle sent to slaughter from January to April, 1973, were infected with the cysticercus stage of Taenia saginata. One employee who worked at the feed mill and loaded hay in the fields was also found to be infected with T saginata. Recommendations for control of similar epizootics included educating employees about mode of transmission and improved personal hygiene, the inauguration of a surveillance program that included examination of employees prior to employment and periodically thereafter, maintenance of animal source and destination records, restriction of unauthorized personnel to critical areas, and periodic microbiologic assay of water supply.