Taenia solium is a zoonotic parasite prevalent in many low income countries throughout Latin America,
Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. The parasite is recognized as a public health threat;
however the burden it poses on populations of Tanzania is unknown. The aim ofthis study was to estimate
the societal cost of T. solium cysticercosis in Tanzania, by assessing both the health and economic burden.
The societal cost of T. solium cysticercosis was assessed in humans and pigs based on data obtained by
a systematic review. Experts’ opinion was sought in cases where data were not retrievable. The health
burden was assessed in terms of annual number of neurocysticercosis (NCC) associated epilepsy incident
cases, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), while the economic burden was assessed in terms
of direct and indirect costs imposed by NCC-associated epilepsy and potential losses due to porcine
cysticercosis. Based on data retrieved from the systematic review and burden assessments, T. solium
cysticercosis contributed to a significant societal cost for the population. The annual number of NCCassociated
epilepsy incident cases and deaths were 17,853 (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI), 5666–36,227)
and 212 (95% UI, 37–612), respectively. More than 11% (95% UI, 6.3–17) ofthe pig population was infected
with the parasite when using tongue examination as diagnostic method. For the year 2012 the number
of DALYs per thousand person-years for NCC-associated epilepsy was 0.7 (95% UI, 0.2–1.6). Around 5
million USD (95% UI, 797,535–16,933,477) were spentdue to NCC-associatedepilepsy andnearly 3million
USD (95% UI, 1,095,960–5,366,038) were potentially lost due to porcine cysticercosis. Our results show
that T. solium imposes a serious public health, agricultural and economic threat for Tanzania. We urge
that a One Health approach, which involves the joint collaboration and effort of veterinarians, medical
doctors, agricultural extension officers, researchers and relevant governmental agencies, is taken to find
sustainable solutions for prevention, control and elimination of T. solium