Asked by Emily Richmond, Montreal, Canada
Where are tapeworms most likely to be found?
Conditions Expert
Dr. Otis Brawley
Chief Medical Officer,
American Cancer Society
Dear Emily,
Tapeworms are an organism that can infect the intestine and cause abdominal bloating, pain and weight loss. They are rare in North America and Europe.
The most common cause of a tapeworm infection is eating contaminated pork, beef or fish, especially freshwater fish that has been inadequately cooked.
I cannot overstress that this is a rare problem in North America and Europe, even with the increasing popularity of raw fish.
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