Six possible cases of infection with the larva of the pork tapeworm have again been discovered in primary school Het Molentje in Lier. This is reported by the Department of Healthcare. Following the discovery of a fifth case last year, a wider health investigation was launched. During the MRI screening of 77 children from the school, suspicious lesions in the brains of 6 children were discovered that could indicate an infection.
Martijn Peters
Latest update:
01-03-24, 18:26
Source:
Department of Care
In the past year, 5 infections with the larva of a pork tapeworm were discovered in primary school children at Het Molentje primary school in Lier. To investigate whether there were any hidden infections and to better assess any risks of infections, the Department of Care organized an MRI screening of 77 children from the school on February 24 and 25. This screening discovered suspicious lesions in the brains of 6 children that could indicate infection by the pork tapeworm.
These 6 children are further examined to see whether it is indeed an infection with the cyst of a pork tapeworm (neurocysticercosis). In 4 this is very likely, in 2 others the diagnosis is less clear. The 6 children currently have no complaints of illness.
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Joris Moonens, spokesperson for the Department of Care: “Because we had previously found 5 infections at the school, we assumed that we would discover hidden infections with this screening. We invited all children who were in the same year as the students in whom the infection had already been diagnosed for the screening. We expected that we would discover 4 to possibly 6 cases among them.”
“We will now discuss these results with a number of experts and with the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). In consultation with them, we will evaluate whether it is useful to organize more screenings or carry out other tests, such as a blood test,” says Moonens.
These additional cases do not change the risk assessment for schoolchildren in the Molentje in Lier. The infections almost certainly happened a number of years ago. Intensive source research has shown that there is probably no pig tapeworm carrier in the school today that could infect others. Parents at the school have been informed. They should remain vigilant for symptoms of infection in their child.
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