Review on Yersiniosis and its public health importance

Abstract

Yersinia belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family and is widely found distributed in the environment. Of more significance to food safety is Y. Enterocolitis very important in a foodborne zoonosis with substantial importance to public health. Enteropathogenic Yersinia species can grow at low temperatures, refrigerated foodstuffs can become able to cause contaminations. Swine and wild animals are common reservoirs. Y. Enterocolitica is primarily a foodborne pathogen found in some food-producing animals such as pigs and other mammals. After ingestion of contaminated water or food, Y. Enterocolitica colonizes the intestine causing yersiniosis, an acute gastrointestinal condition. Y. enterocolitica is a zoonotic disease known to infect humans via ingestion of faeces-contaminated foods (raw and ready-to-eat) and handling undercooked meat, sewage-contaminated water, etc. In humans, the clinical symptoms of yersiniosis appear most commonly as gastrointestinal disturbances, such as enteritis, enterocolitis and gastroenterocolitis accompanied by fever and often severe bloody diarrhoea. Refrain from feeding captive wildlife raw pork/game meat and undercooked chitlins; Staff working with captive wildlife should practise good hand washing after contact with animals but there is no vaccination available or recommended for wildlife as medical prophylaxis.