infections
Plague and Other Yersinia Infections
OtherYersiniaInfections
, infect animals worldwide. These bacteria can be transmitted to people but cause a less severe illness than Plague and Other Yersinia Infections . Infections caused by otherYersiniabacteria can also be acquired by handling infected animals (for example, by hunters), by consuming or handling raw or undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk or milk products from infected animals, or by drinking contaminated water. These infections commonly cause diarrhea, which usually resolves on its own, and sore throat. Lymph nodes in the abdomen become inflamed, causing pain in the lower right part of the abdomen. The pain resembles the pain of appendicitis. The bacteria may infect the bloodstream, but they rarely spread to parts of the body outside the intestinal tract. Diagnosisof otherYersiniainfections includes testing samples of blood, stool, sputum, or pus from lymph nodes. Preventionof otherYersiniainfections involves the following: Washing hands with soap and water before eating and preparing food, after contact with animals (especially their feces), and after handling raw meat Cooking meat to recommended temperatures Consuming only pasteurized milk and dairy products Disposing of feces of pets in a sanitary way Treatmentof otherYersiniainfections is focused on relieving the diarrhea. These infections usually resolve on their own. However, antibiotics are needed if the infection has spread to the bloodstream or other organs. 