Prevention

To prevent tapeworm infection:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.
• When traveling in areas where tapeworm is more common, wash and cook all fruits and vegetables with safe water before eating. If water might not be safe, be sure to boil it for at least a minute and then let it cool off before using it.
• Eliminate livestock exposure to tapeworm eggs by properly disposing of animal and human feces.
• Thoroughly cook meat at temperatures of at least 145 F (63 C) to kill tapeworm eggs or larvae.
• Freeze meat for as long as seven to 10 days and fish for at least 24 hours in a freezer with a temperature of -31 F (-35 C) to kill tapeworm eggs and larvae.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked pork, beef and fish.
• Promptly treat dogs infected with tapeworm.