Introduction
Yersiniosis is an infection caused by Yersinia bacteria - Yersinia enterocolitica. It is contracted by consuming contaminated meat and milk, most often from undercooked or raw pork. The centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) estimates that the Yersinia enterocolitica causes nearly 640 hospitalizations, 117,000 illnesses, and 35 deaths in the United States every year. Yersiniosis has recently become more common than shingles and salmonella in some countries.
What Is Yersiniosis?
Yersiniosis is an illness caused by Yersinia species bacteria, Yersinia enterocolitica. It is an uncommon zoonotic gastrointestinal infection contracted by consuming raw or undercooked meat (especially pork) or unpasteurized milk. The disease is more common in winter and often infects children and immunosuppressed people.
What Causes Yersiniosis?
Yersiniosis is a zoonotic illness caused by Yersinia enterocolitica. Although there are more species of Yersinia: Yersinia pestis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and Yersinia enterocolitica; are considered the main cause of most illnesses in humans. Yersinia enterocolitica is majorly seen in pigs, other strains that cause human illness may also be seen in rodents, sheep, cattle, dogs, horses, and cats.
How Do People Get Yersiniosis?
The illness is most often contracted when people consume undercooked or raw pork, which Yersinia enterocolitica may contaminate. However, it can also spread through people who handle pork; like chitlins. For instance, young children and babies can get infected if their caretaker does not wash their hands properly after preparing a pork product and then touch the child or the child’s toys, pacifiers, or feeding bottle.
The disease can even spread through drinking unpasteurized milk or untreated water contaminated by an infected animal's feces. People may also get the infection through person-to-person contact, for instance, if a caretaker does not wash their hands properly after handling a child infected with the disease.
It can also spread by being in contact with an infected animal. However, pigs are the main carriers of the bacteria, and other animals like rodents, sheep, dogs, cats, and horses may also contain the strains of the bacteria. Usually, an animal that is infected may not be sick, but it still can cause human illness. For example, putting something in the mouth that has come into contact with the droppings or feces of infected animals can cause the bacteria to enter one’s body. Rarely, it may even spread through blood transfusion.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Yersiniosis?
The signs and symptoms of yersiniosis vary depending upon the age of infected individuals. The symptoms appear four to seven after exposure to the bacteria and may persist for one to three weeks or even longer.
Symptoms in Young Children:
-
Fever.
-
Abdomen pain.
-
Diarrhea; mostly may contain blood.
Symptoms in Older Children and Adults:
-
Pain in the abdomen; may sometimes be mistaken for appendicitis.
The infection may spread to other parts of the body, although it is rare. The complications of the condition include; skin rashes and joint pain.
How Is Yersiniosis Diagnosed?
Yersiniosis is diagnosed through a stool test to test the presence of the bacteria. However, since the disease is not so common, most laboratories do not have the facilities for it; hence the doctor must specify the suspect of Yersinia bacteria.
Occasionally, a blood test may also be done to confirm the disease.
How Is Yersiniosis Treated?
Yersiniosis is a self-limiting condition that subsides on its own without any treatment. However, symptomatic treatment may be advised to help the patient relieve the discomfort. For instance, in case of diarrhea, the person is advised to have plenty of fluids. In addition, antibiotics may be prescribed in case of severe conditions or complications, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
When to Consult a Doctor?
Consult a doctor immediately, in case:
-
One observes a lot of blood in the stool.
-
The person is vomiting continuously and cannot retain any food or water.
-
There is extreme abdominal pain.
-
The symptoms do not subside after a few days, or the symptoms aggravate even after a few days.
-
The person shows symptoms of dehydration.
-
The child is below three years old and has a temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
How Can Yersiniosis Be Prevented?
-
Do not consume undercooked or raw pork. Cook pork to 145oF to 165oF (safe minimum internal temperature for pork according to government food safety regulations).
-
Cook all meat to the safe minimum cooking temperature.
-
Use only pasteurized milk and milk products.
-
Wash hands with soap before eating and preparing food and after touching raw meat.
-
Clean hands and fingernails properly with soap and water after touching an animal, touching chitlins, handling children’s diapers, using the toilet, assisting someone in the toilet, or taking care of an infected person.
-
Wash hands properly before touching children’s toys, pacifiers, and bottles.
-
Keep children away from the kitchen when chitlins are being prepared. Someone other than the person who cooks should take care of the children when chitlins are being prepared.
-
Wash hands well and often when taking care of a sick pet, especially if they have diarrhea, and consult a veterinarian about treatment.
-
Avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Use different cutting boards when chopping raw meat and vegetables. Also, clean all countertops, vessels, and cutting boards properly with soap and hot water after handling raw meat.
-
Dispose of animal waste and feces in a proper sanitary manner.
-
Do not drink untreated water or water from recreational sources. Boil water before drinking or drink water that has been treated.
Conclusion
Yersiniosis is a self-limiting zoonotic gastrointestinal infection caused by consuming raw or undercooked meat, especially pork or unpasteurized milk and milk products. It is caused by Yersinia enterocolitica and is manifested as diarrhea with blood and abdominal pain. It is often more common in children than adults and is most often seen in winter. The condition usually subsides on its own and rarely might require antibiotic treatment. However, in very rare cases, it may have complications like skin rashes, joint pain, and bacteria spreading into the bloodstream. To prevent yersiniosis maintain proper hand washing habits, especially after handling raw meat. And in case of any symptoms, reach out to a doctor immediately.