Health: Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention Division: Yersiniosis

Yersiniosis

Yersiniosis (Yer-sin-E-O-sis) is an illness caused by enteric bacteria of the genus Yersinia most often due to eating raw or undercooked pork contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica. In the United States, most common Yersinia species is Y. enterocolitica. This illness is a relatively rare cause of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Y. enterocolitica, which causes yersiniosis, may be confused with Y. Pestis. Y. Pestis is the bacteria that can lead to an illness commonly known as “the plague’ or “the black death.” Yersiniosis is not the same illness.

Quick Facts

How do people get sick with yersiniosis?
Most people become infected by eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork, or through contact with a person who has prepared a pork product, such as chitlins.
- For example, babies and infants can be infected by their caretakers. If the caretakers handle contaminated food, then they do not wash their hands properly, they can spread the illness to the child or the child’s toys, bottles, or pacifiers.
People occasionally become infected after drinking contaminated milk or untreated water, or after contact with infected animals or their feces.
- On rare occasions, people become infected through person-to-person contact.
  - For example, caretakers can become infected if they do not wash their hands properly after changing the diaper of a child with yersiniosis.
Even more rarely, people may become infected through contaminated blood when receiving blood (through a transfusion).
What are symptoms of yersiniosis?
The symptoms of Yersiniosis depend on the age of the person infected.
- Infection occurs most often in young children
  - Common symptoms in children are fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody
  - Symptoms typically develop four to seven days after exposure and may last one to three weeks or longer
- In older children and adults, right-sided abdominal pain and fever may be the main symptoms and may be confused with appendicitis
  - Complications are rare, and may include skin rash, joint pains, or spread of bacteria to the bloodstream
How is yersiniosis diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis
Yersiniosis usually is diagnosed by detecting the bacteria in the feces of an infected person. Many laboratories do not routinely test for Yersinia. It is important that the healthcare worker notifies the laboratory when yersiniosis is suspected so that special tests can be done.
Treatment
Yersiniosis usually goes away on its own without antibiotic treatment. However, antibiotics may be used to treat more severe or complicated infections.
How can yersiniosis be prevented?
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked pork
- Consume only pasteurized milk and milk products, such as soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water:
  - Before eating and preparing food
  - After contact with animals
  - After handling raw meat
- After handling raw chitlins, clean hands and fingernails carefully with soap and water before touching infants or their toys, bottles, or pacifiers. Someone other than the person handling food should care for children while chitlins are being prepared.
  - Please note that washing or soaking chitlins in the sink may lead to cross contamination and is not an effective food safety practice. You do not need to wash your meat before cooking it.
- Prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen by using one cutting board for raw meat and another cutting board for fresh produce. Carefully clean all cutting boards, countertops, and utensils with soap and hot water after preparing raw meat.
- Dispose of animal feces in a sanitary manner
What should I do if I have Yersinia infection?

Once you or your child start having symptoms of the illness, such as diarrhea, do not attend work (specifically for food handlers, healthcare workers, daycare workers) or attend daycare or school until a healthcare provider or someone from your local health department says you are clear to go back.
If you believe you have yersiniosis and have not yet been treated or spoken to a doctor, please be sure to do so. You should be evaluated by a doctor to confirm that you have yersiniosis, and that you get the correct treatment. You should also respond to requests to be interviewed by your local or state public health department. An investigation will take place for every confirmed case of yersiniosis. It is important that you answer the call from your local or state health department so that other people in your home or near you are not at risk of getting yersiniosis as well. An investigation may also look into your exposures to check if other people are at risk.
More Information

Page last updated/reviewed: December 2024