[i]Taenia solium[/i] is a zoonotic cestode parasite which causes human neurocysticercosis. Pigs transmit the parasite by acting as the intermediate host. An intervention was implemented in pigs to control transmission of [i]T. solium[/i] in Dalit communities of Banke District, Nepal. Every 3 months, pigs were vaccinated with the TSOL18 recombinant vaccine (CysvaxTM , IIL, India)) and, at the same time, given an oral treatment with 30mg/kg oxfendazole (Paranthic 10%™, MCI, Morocco). The

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... e of porcine cysticercosis was determined in both an intervention area as well as a similar no intervention control area, among randomly selected, slaughter-age pigs. Post mortem assessments were undertaken both at the start and at the end of the intervention. Participants conducting the post mortem assessments were blinded as to the source of the animals being assessed. At the start of the intervention the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was 23.6% and 34.5% in the control and intervention areas, respectively. Following the intervention, the prevalence of cysticercosis in pigs from the control area was 16.7% (no significant change), whereas no infection was detected after complete slicing of all muscle tissue and brain in animals from the intervention area (P=0.004). These findings are discussed in relation to the feasibility and sustainability of [i]T. solium[/i] control. The 3-monthly vaccination and drug treatment intervention in pigs used here is suggested as an effective and practical method for reducing [i]T. solium[/i] transmission, thereby reducing the incidence of human neurocysticercosis. This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grant Number OPP1009497