What is yersiniosis?
- Yersiniosis is an infection caused by bacteria found in the intestines of infected animals and humans.
- The bacteria can multiply under refrigeration and low oxygen conditions.
How is yersiniosis spread?
- Consuming contaminated food or water that has been improperly prepared or cooked.
- Raw pork and pork products are known sources of infection.
- Not washing your hands properly after handling or petting infected birds and animals.
What are the symptoms of yersiniosis?
- Symptoms usually last two to three weeks, and include fever and diarrhea (especially in your children).
- Fever, abdominal pain, tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, and rash in older children and adults.
When do symptoms of yersiniosis start?
- It takes approximately three to seven days, generally less than ten days before you start to show signs of illness after consuming the bacteria.
How long is yersinosis contagious?
- Person to person transmission appears to be rare.
- Fecal shedding occurs as long as symptoms persist, usually two to three weeks; if untreated, persons may shed for two to three months.
How is yersiniosis treated?
- Treatment is under the discretion of the healthcare provider. Antibiotics can be used in some cases.
How is yersiniosis prevented?
- Handle and prepare foods properly by washing and sanitizing cutting boards and utensils after contact with raw meat, fruits and vegetables and ready to eat foods.
- Cook all your meat thoroughly.
- ground beef and pork: 71oC
- whole poultry: 82oC
- poultry pieces: 74oC
- Avoid having your raw meats come in contact with your other food.
- Keep cold foods at 4oC or lower.
- Keep hot foods at 60oC or higher.
- Consume only pasteurized milk and milk products.
- Only drink water from a safe source.
- Do not prepare food for others if you are ill.
- Wash your hands properly before and after handling raw food, handling animals, using the bathroom and diapering.
Where can I get more information about yersiniosis?
Contact the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Program at 705-474-1400, or toll-free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 or email us at cdc@healthunit.ca.
References:
- Heymann, David L. (2022). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 21st edition. Washington, DC. pp. 719-722.
- Ministry of Health, Infectious Diseases Protocol, Appendix 1: Yersiniosis (2022).
Created: March 2026, by CDC