Neurocysticercosis
Neurocysticercosis is an infectious parasitic disease. It is caused by a tape worm called Taenia solium. It is generally found in pigs. It occurs when the cysts are formed by infection within the brain. This causes neurologic syndromes such as ecliptic seizures.
About Neurocysticercosis
- Neurocysticercosis is the common cause of seizures all over the world.
- It mostly occurs in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum.
- Pituitary gland is very rarely involved in the infection. But when it is involved it leads to multiple pituitary hormone deficiency.
- The cysts form a tree – like pattern called racemose neurocysticercosis.
Tests to detect Neurocysticercosis
Neurocysticercosis is diagnosed using CT – scan. It is confirmed through ELISA test. ELISA is Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
How are Assam tea garden workers related to Neurocysticercosis?
There is higher prevalence of the disease in the Assam tea garden. The disease is higher in those regions of the tea gardens in the state that lagged proper sanitation. And also, in places where pig rearing was widespread.
Pork is a staple food in the north eastern India. This region accounts to 68.75% of pork consumed in India. Nagaland tops the list and Assam seconds it. And in Assam, the pigs are fed waste and are reared in dirty backyard. Not all the pig farmers in the region follow de – worming schedule. This is another reason for the spread of Neurocysticercosis in Assam.
Why are Assam tea garden workers affected?
- They are the state’s most marginalized population. They work in unsafe conditions. They earn low incomes, lack basic amenities and are at high risk of human rights violations.
- Assam is one of the largest tea growing regions in the world. There are more than 800 tea estates in the state. And they employ more than one million tea plantation workers. These workers pick tea for Rs 205 per day.
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