Yersiniosis

Yersiniosis is an infection that is caused by 2 bacterium:

How it spreads

Spread can occur by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated, especially raw or undercooked pork products.

The environment may be contaminated by a range of animals, but pigs are considered to be the main source of human infection.

Anyone can get yersiniosis but most cases are seen in young children and people with exposures to pigs or pork.

The symptoms usually develop between 3 to 7 days after infection.

They include:

In older children and adults, yersiniosis can sometimes mimic appendicitis.

Joint pain or arthritis can also occur a few weeks later in about half of adult cases.

It's rare for the yersiniosis infection to be passed on to others.

Bacteria will usually be present in faeces for 2 to 3 weeks after diarrhoea commences, but may be shed in the faeces for 2 to 3 months.

Antibiotics are usually required for severe or bloodstream infections.

But they don't appear to change the course of the illness in mild cases.

Anyone with diarrhoea should also drink extra fluids to avoid dehydration.

Rehydration therapy with oral glucose / electrolyte solution is particularly effective.

If children refuse this solution, diluted fruit juice may be given (1 part juice to 4 parts water).

Babies should continue to be offered their normal feeds plus extra fluids in between feeds.

Medicines to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea should not be given, especially to children, except when prescribed by a doctor.

Children who refuse extra fluids should see a doctor.

Additionally, anyone with the following should also see a doctor:

People with vomiting or diarrhoea should not:

prepare or handle food that will be eaten by others
go back to work, school or childcare until 48 hours after diarrhoea and vomiting have ceased
swim, wade or paddle in public pools.

Doctors and public health workers are interested in preventing outbreaks of diarrhoea.

If there are 2 or more cases in a group, these should be reported to the local Centre for Disease Control.

You can help prevent yersiniosis by:

not eating raw or undercooked pork
washing your hands and fingernails thoroughly with soap and water after:
- handling raw pork
- contact with animals, particularly pigs
keeping raw foods and ready-to-eat foods separate and using separate knives, utensils and equipment
keeping all kitchen surfaces and equipment clean and washing them immediately after handling raw meat or poultry
only drinking pasteurised milk or milk products.

To find out more, go to the NT Health website.

Contact your nearest Centre for Disease Control on the NT Health website.