Yersiniosis

Public Health Division | Department of Human Services | Government of Victoria Australia

Yersiniosis

What Is Yersiniosis?

Yersiniosis is a type of gastroenteritis (gastro) caused by the (germ) bacterium Yersinia.

Yersiniosis can affect anyone, however, it is more common in young children.

What Are the Symptoms of Yersiniosis?

The most common symptoms of this disease are diarrhoea, fever, and vomiting.

After infection it usually takes between three and seven days before you become ill. To trace the cause of the illness, it is necessary to know what you ate and drank and where you were in the week before you became ill.
Illness may last several weeks.

Where Are Yersinia Found?

Yersinia bacteria are found in wild, farm and pet animals and birds, particularly chickens and pigs.

How Does Yersiniosis Spread?

Yersiniosis occurs when Yersinia bacteria are taken in by mouth and this may happen in any of the following ways.

Inadequate Cooking

Yersinia bacteria are often present in uncooked meat, particularly poultry and pork. When the raw meat is prepared for human consumption and is not adequately cooked, the bacteria may survive and infect people who eat it. Unpasteurised milk may sometimes be contaminated with Yersinia bacteria.

Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination is the spread of bacteria from something that is contaminated with bacteria to something that is not.

Yersinia can spread when uncooked foods that are contaminated with the bacteria cross-contaminate ready-to-eat foods.

Raw foods should always be considered to be contaminated. To avoid cross-contamination, raw foods should be handled and stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat food.

Person-to-Person Spread

People with yersiniosis have Yersinia bacteria in their faeces. If these people do not wash their hands after going to the toilet, then contaminated hands can spread the bacteria to surfaces and objects which will be touched by other people. Contaminated hands can also spread the bacteria to food which may be eaten by other people.

Hands can also become contaminated with bacteria when a person changes the nappy of an infant infected with yersiniosis.

People and animals can carry Yersinia bacteria in their faeces without having any symptoms. These people and animals can still pass the disease on to others.

Pets, farm animals and contaminated drinking water can also spread Yersinia bacteria.

I Think I May Have Yersiniosis—What Should I Do?

If you have symptoms of yersiniosis, report them to your doctor immediately. This will ensure that you receive proper treatment and advice and that steps are taken to reduce the spread of the disease.

Can I Still Work?

Food handlers, child care workers and health care workers with yersiniosis must not work until symptoms have stopped.

Children must not attend child care centres, kindergartens or school until symptoms have stopped.

How Can I Stop Spreading It to My Family?

In your household, the risk of spreading Yersiniosis can be reduced. It is very important that people with Yersiniosis or gastroenteritis do not prepare or handle food which will be eaten by other people, and that no one else shares their towel or face washer.

How Can I Avoid Getting Yersiniosis?

By following the guidelines below, everyone can do something to avoid getting yersiniosis.

Careful Hand Washing

Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least ten seconds:

before preparing food;
between handling raw and ready-to-eat foods;
before eating;
after going to the toilet or changing nappies;
after smoking;
after using a tissue or handkerchief;
after working in the garden; and
after playing with pets.

Food handlers should use disposable paper towels or an air dryer to dry their hands. Cloth towels are not recommended as they get dirty quickly and can spread germs from one person to another.

Safe Food Storage and Handling

Do not handle raw and cooked foods with the same implements (tongs, knives, cutting boards), unless they have been thoroughly washed between uses.
Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment clean.
Defrost food by placing it on the lower shelves of a refrigerator or use a microwave oven.
Thoroughly cook all raw foods.
Cooked food should be placed in a refrigerator within an hour of cooking it.
Refrigerate raw foods below ready-to-eat or cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Store foods below 5 degrees C or above 60 degrees C to prevent growth of bacteria.
Thoroughly wash raw vegetables before eating.
Reheat food until the internal temperature of the food reaches at least 75 degrees C.
Protect food from insects, rodents and other animals.

Note for Microwave Oven Users

Remember that part of the microwave cooking process, includes standing time. If a microwave oven is used, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and observe these standing times to ensure the food is completely cooked before it is eaten.

Household Cleaning

Bathrooms and toilets must be cleaned often to avoid the spread of bacteria. Pay particular attention to toilet seats and handles, taps and nappy change tables.
Sandpits can become contaminated with animal faeces and urine. Rake the sand frequently and remove any animal faeces. Cover the area when not in use.

Water From Untreated Sources

Untreated water that comes directly from lakes or rivers may be contaminated with faeces from people or animals. Boil water from these sources before drinking it.

Note: If you think the source of your illness may have been food, it is important that you report it to your local council health department as soon as possible. Retain any left over food which you believe may have caused you to become ill.

For further information contact the Communicable Diseases Unit, Department of Human Services on Telephone: (03) 9616 7777.

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