Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Background <italic>Taenia solium</italic> is a major foodborne zoonotic parasite highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. A comprehensive farm-to-fork analysis of the pig production and supply systems is essential to identify and mitigate associated risk factors. The aim of this study was to map the cross-border pig/pork food chain between Zambia’s Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces (Southern Africa) and Haut-Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, Central Africa). A mixed-methods approach was employed, triangulating data from direct observations, stakeholder interviews, border veterinary services records, and counts of pigs crossing the border. This approach was used to map food-chain stages and pig/pork flows, to evaluate stakeholders' roles and pig management practices, to pinpoint critical control points for <italic>T. solium</italic> transmission to humans. Results A regular and persistent cross-border pig/pork food chain was identified, comprising six stages (supply sources, handling, health inspection, taxes and regulation, transportation, and first and final points of consumption) and ten stakeholder categories (pig shelter managers; pig buyers; sellers; pig slaughterers; handlers; border veterinarians; transporters; slaughterer–retailer pork sellers; veterinary inspectors; and pork sellers at home and in markets, including grilled-pork sellers). This chain extends from pig supply sources in Zambia and the DRC to multiple pork consumption sites in Haut-Katanga Province. During one week of counting, at least 1,696 live pigs and 32 carcasses were recorded crossing the border from Zambia into the DRC, compared with 4,799 animals officially reported over one year. The chain operates with minimal regulation and lacks effective health oversight from border crossings through slaughter to final consumption. Imported porcine cysticercosis cases were both reported by respondents and directly observed in pork markets. Tongue palpation was not performed systematically at purchase or during transit at the border, veterinary inspection was inconsistent, and infected pork was sold for human consumption at lower prices than non-infected meat. Infected pigs were purchased and their meat subsequently marketed. Conclusion These findings reveal notable gaps in cross-border surveillance and veterinary inspections, underscoring the critical need for coordinated control efforts among countries to reduce <italic>T. solium</italic> transmission and safeguard public health. </p>