Yersiniosis usually occurs as a single isolated event, however occasional outbreaks have been reported due to a common exposure. The Yersinia bacteria are spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with feces from an infected human or animal, or by direct contact with fecal material from an infected person or animal. Infected people may experience fever, abdominal cramps or mild to severe diarrhea that may contain blood especially in children. Yersiniosis may mimic appendicitis, especially in adolescents and young adults. Symptoms generally appear 3 to 7 days after exposure.
Animals are the main source of the bacteria that cause yersiniosis.
Fecal wastes from animals may contaminate water, milk and foods and become a source of infection for people or other animals. The bacteria are passed in the feces during the time the person is experiencing diarrhea and in some cases for a few weeks or months afterward. For this reason, infected people must be very careful to thoroughly wash their hands after each toilet visit. Most cases recover on their own without treatment. Those with severe symptoms or bloodstream infections are generally treated with antibiotics.