The ovine cysticercosis as models for research into the epidemiology and control of the human and porcine cysticercosis Taenia solium: I. Epidemiological considerations.

A brief review is given of the transmission dynamics of the ovine cysticercoses Taenia hydatigena and T. ovis. The importance of the basic reproductive rate (Ro) and the parasite, host and socio-ecological factors determining the epidemiological steady states of Taeniidae are described. The transmission dynamics of these ovine cysticercoses have been used as models to assist in identifying the biological and epidemiological research needed for developing strategies for the control of porcine cysticercosis caused by T. solium.