Neurocysticercosis begins when tapeworm eggs enter the human body through contaminated food or water. Once swallowed, these eggs can travel through the bloodstream and settle in the brain, where they develop into cysts.
Published Aug 28, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 28, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Parasite in brain. Representative image. (iStock)
Synopsis: The monsoon has been causing a sharp rise in cases of neurocysticercosis, a brain infection caused by tapeworm larvae. Neurocysticercosis begins when tapeworm eggs enter the human body through contaminated food or water. Once swallowed, these eggs can travel through the bloodstream and settle in the brain, where they develop into cysts.
The monsoon in our country is a season of relief, beauty, and nostalgia. It cools the air, revives the greenery, and brings with it the sound of rain that so many of us find comforting.
However, this year, the rains have also carried an invisible and dangerous passenger, a sharp rise in cases of neurocysticercosis, a brain infection caused by tapeworm larvae. While the name might sound like something from a medical textbook, the truth is it’s a disease that can strike unexpectedly, often with severe consequences.
Neurocysticercosis begins when tapeworm eggs enter the human body through contaminated food or water. Once swallowed, these eggs can travel through the bloodstream and settle in the brain, where they develop into cysts.
In Mumbai, heavy rains, waterlogging, and strained sanitation systems create ideal conditions for this kind of contamination. Every sip of unfiltered water, every poorly washed vegetable, every bite of undercooked meat, especially pork, increases the risk.
The danger lies in its ability to go unnoticed. Some people may carry the larvae without showing any symptoms for months or even years. Others might be hit suddenly with frightening signs such as seizures in someone who has never had them before, severe headaches that don’t improve with medication, or episodes of confusion and memory loss.
In some cases, the infection can even affect speech and body movements. The way symptoms appear depends on the size, number, and location of the cysts in the brain, as well as how the immune system responds to them.
To confirm the infection, doctors rely on MRI or CT scans that reveal the cysts. Once diagnosed, treatment usually involves antiparasitic drugs to kill the larvae, steroids to reduce swelling in the brain, and anti-seizure medication to control or prevent convulsions.
In rare and severe situations, surgery may be needed. However, recovery is possible with timely medical care, but the experience can be daunting, another reason why prevention is so important.
The earlier the infection is detected, the easier it is to treat and lower the risk of permanent damage. If you delay testing, thinking that it’s probably nothing, it can turn a manageable infection into a life-threatening illness.
Preventing neurocysticercosis starts with changing everyday habits. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before eating, ideally under running clean water. Meat, especially pork, should be cooked until it is fully done, leaving no pink or raw areas.
Always drinking boiled or filtered water during the monsoon is essential, as is washing hands before meals and after handling raw food.
Street food, though tempting in the rain, can be risky during this season, especially when sanitation around stalls is compromised by flooding. The infection thrives in silence; hence, talking about it openly, even if it’s uncomfortable, is the best way to break that silence.
A city’s charm during the rains often comes with crowded food corners, damp produce markets, and a city running at full speed despite the downpour. However, these same conditions give bacteria and parasites more opportunities to spread. The surge in brain tapeworm infections this season is a reminder that waterborne and foodborne diseases are not limited to stomach issues; some can affect the brain, with serious consequences.
Doctors emphasise that anyone experiencing unexplained seizures, persistent headaches, or sudden neurological changes should seek medical help immediately.
Early detection not only speeds up recovery but can also prevent lasting damage. While the thought of parasites in the brain can be scary, the reality is that most cases can be avoided by practising careful hygiene and being mindful about what you eat and drink.
The monsoon will always be a part of our city’s soul; the rain-washed streets, the smell of wet earth, and the shared umbrellas with strangers are moments worth cherishing. But as we celebrate the season, we must also respect the unseen risks it brings.
By making small but consistent choices, washing produce, boiling water, and avoiding unsafe food, we protect not just our health but our peace of mind.
This monsoon, let the rains bring comfort, not illness. And the next time you are about to bite into that steaming roadside snack while water gushes down the streets, take a moment to ask yourself, Is it worth the risk?
You have to try to stay cautious, and this could mean avoiding a battle with an enemy you will never want to face, one that hides in the very food and water you trust. The rains should bring memories, not medical bills. Testing and awareness are your strongest shields this season; use them.
(Views are personal. Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
