Health experts are urging people to fully cook their bacon after a 52-year-old man developed a rare and serious brain infection linked to undercooked pork. The man, who has not been identified, sought medical help after suffering weekly headaches that grew progressively worse.
The pain intensified until it radiated across the back of his skull, prompting doctors to carry out detailed scans. Medical imaging revealed multiple cyst-like growths scattered throughout his brain tissue. Further testing confirmed the cause: a tapeworm commonly found in pigs. Doctors explained that larvae from the parasite had made their way into his brain, where they became lodged inside cysts deep within the tissue.
The man was admitted to a U.S. hospital and transferred to intensive care, where he remained for several weeks. During that time, he was given a course of anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory medications in an effort to kill the parasites and reduce swelling in the brain.
After intensive treatment, his condition eventually stabilized. He was discharged from the hospital but continued under close outpatient monitoring. According to Newsweek, doctors documented his case in the American Journal of Case Reports.
“The patient was successfully treated with regression of lesions and improvement of headaches,” his physicians wrote. The case highlights a condition known as neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection that occurs when tapeworm larvae invade the central nervous system.
While rare in the United States, the illness is more common in areas where pork may be undercooked or hygiene standards are lower. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and number of cysts, but often include chronic headaches, seizures, or neurological complications.
Medical professionals are using this case as a reminder of the risks associated with improperly cooked pork. Bacon and other pork products must reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) and then rest for several minutes to ensure that harmful parasites are destroyed. Ground pork should be cooked to 160°F (71°C).
Though the patient’s outcome was positive, doctors stress that prevention is far easier than treatment. Once tapeworm larvae reach the brain, the infection can be extremely difficult to manage and may cause long-term neurological damage if not promptly addressed.
Health authorities continue to advise the public that safe food handling practices—including washing hands, avoiding cross-contamination, and thoroughly cooking pork—are essential steps to protect against dangerous foodborne illnesses.