What Causes Yersiniosis?
Three main types of yersiniosis affect people. In the United States the form that most commonly causes infections is yersinia enterocolitica, which are bacteria that thrive in cooler temperatures. There is only 1 confirmed case per 100,000 people each year in the United States. The bacteria can infect the digestive tracts of humans, cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, and goats. People can contract it by eating or handling contaminated foods such as raw or undercooked meat, or by drinking untreated water or unpasteurized milk that has been contaminated. An infant can be infected if a parent or caretaker handles contaminated food without cleaning up adequately before handling the infant’s toys, bottles, or pacifiers.
