A quantitative and qualitative risk assessment of pig-related parasitic zoonoses in Burundi

Foodborne parasitic illnesses have a significant impact on the health and economy of affected communities, particularly in low-income countries. The consumption of raw or undercooked pork was demonstrated to be the main route for humans to acquire four major parasitic diseases: toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, Taenia solium taeniosis and sarcocystosis. This PhD project will focus on the risk assessment of two main parasitic zoonotic diseases (T. solium infections and toxoplasmosis) transmitted through consumption of pork or their products in Burundi. The study will be conducted in urban (Bujumbura city) and rural areas (Ngozi and Kayanza provinces) and aims: (i) to improve diagnostic capacity for foodborne parasitic diseases in Burundi and estimate the occurrence of Taenia spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in pigs; (ii) to estimate the burden of T. solium cysticercosis and toxoplasmosis; (iii) to assess the hazard analysis and critical control points analyses along the pork value chain from farm to fork; (iv) to quantify the risk of human exposure to T. solium and T. gondii; and (v) to assess the current local food safety regulations in Burundi and gaps using a One Health approach. Fieldwork, laboratory work, literature reviews, observations, interviews and focus group discussions will be performed to collect data. The findings of the study will provide a better understanding of the importance of T. solium infections and toxoplasmosis in Burundi, suggest recommendations to reduce food safety risks and show evidence to policy makers of the need for a One Health approach to tackle zoonotic diseases