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De what is it?
Yersiniosis is an infection of the digestive system (gastrointestinal system). The main symptom is acute diarrhea caused by bacteria from the “Yersinia” group. The main bacteria responsible are Yersinia Enterocolitica and Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis.
Yersiniosis is what is called a zoonosis: it means that the disease is transmissible from infected animals to humans. Infection to humans is mainly due to the ingestion of contaminated pork, which is called food poisoning. Drinking water or milk contaminated with Yersinia can also cause yersiniosis.
In Belgium, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) checks pork meat for the possible presence of Yersinia. The procedure followed when slaughtering pigs is strictly controlled.
What is its frequency?
Yersiniosis is found worldwide, and more frequently in children than in adults. Until the mid-1980s, the disease was quite common in northwestern Europe, so also in Belgium and the Netherlands. The numbers have been steadily decreasing since then. This is probably linked to better hygienic conditions in slaughterhouses and the adaptation of eating habits.
It is difficult to measure the frequency with which yersiniosis occurs precisely in the population, as many cases are never recorded. Between 2012 and 2016, Y. enterocolitica was responsible for 5,789 recorded cases1.
How to recognize it?
Yersiniosis mainly presents the following characteristics: acute stomach ache, fever and severe diarrhea. After contamination by the Yersina bacteria, it takes 24 to 48 hours before the first symptoms appear. In children, diarrhea is often bloody and mucous. Patients often complain of pain in the lower abdomen, which is reminiscent of the symptoms of appendicitis. But the pain is usually caused by inflammation of the lymph nodes in that area.
Yersiniosis is characterized by the possible recurrence of symptoms even after the infection has cleared. For example, one to three weeks after the intestinal inflammation, you may experience joint symptoms, have an eye infection, or develop inflammation of the kidneys, pancreas, and thyroid gland. The skin may show painful red swelling several days or even weeks after infection.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will not be able to diagnose the disease based on symptoms alone. In case of acute infection, he may send a small amount of stool to the laboratory to analyze the possible presence of Yersinia. It is also possible to take a blood test to specifically detect Yersinia; this examination will be carried out above all once the diarrhea phase has passed (for example in the event of joint problems).
What can your doctor do?
Despite the sometimes very severe symptoms, the disease usually resolves on its own. If treatment is prescribed, it is just to help get over it while waiting for the disease to heal. But diarrhea can cause dehydration and exhaustion. In this case, you will be sent to the hospital for an infusion. In some very serious cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. But they are not needed for less severe cases.
What can you do ?
Cook food (meat) well. Eat only well-cooked pork. Keep raw pork meat cool (<4 ° C) and do not keep it too long in the fridge. Boil untreated water before consuming it. Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with raw meat. Also clean the cutting board thoroughly to avoid contamination.
If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If the diarrhea is bloody or mucous and the person has a fever, it is best to see a general practitioner.
Want to know more?
Sources
- Foreign clinical practice guide ‘Yersiniose’ (2000), updated on 07.02.2017 and adapted to the Belgian context on 05.09.2019 – ebpracticenet
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