Yersinia

Background

Yersiniosis is a diarrhoeal illness caused by the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica. Only a small number of cases are reported in Scotland each year.

The bacteria can be found in a number of animals, but it's most frequently associated with pigs.

Infection is through faecal-oral transmission through consumption of contaminated food or water, as well as by eating raw or undercooked pork.

On this page...

Information about the symptoms and managing food poisoning is available on the NHS Inform website.

Information about gastroenteritis is also available on the NHS Inform website.

Guidance

Guidance on the safe handling of food is available on the Food Standards Scotland website

Data and surveillance

Yersinia infections are not commonly reported in Scotland. In 2018 there were 12 reports of Yersinia enterocolitica, which is the same as in 2017 and slightly higher than the nine in 2016.

Data tables

Yersinia, Scotland: annual totals as at 21 January 2022
  2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*
Yersinia (total) 5 11 8 4 6 14 17 18 6 13
Yersinia enterocolitica 4 10 5 4 5 9 12 11 5 11
Yersinia spp.** 1 1 3 0 1 5 5 7 1 2

 

* 2020 data remains provisional
** excludes Yersinia pestis

Data source: Public Health Scotland