Man develops ‘pork worms’ in his brain after years of doing this specific cooking habit

A recent medical case in the United States has brought new attention to a parasite most people associate with faraway regions rather than their own kitchens. A 52-year-old man developed neurocysticercosis, a serious brain infection caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. The discovery surprised his doctors not only because the condition is relatively rare in the U.S., but also because he had no recent travel to countries where the parasite is common. Instead, the case was linked to a decades-long cooking habit many people might consider harmless.

The patient’s story highlights how everyday behaviors—like how thoroughly we cook certain foods—can open the door to unexpected health risks. It also underscores a broader truth: while modern food safety standards reduce the risk of many infections, no system is perfect. Understanding how infections like this occur and what steps can be taken to prevent them is key to avoiding serious illness.