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Yersinia enterocolitica Outbreak Associated with Pasteurized Milk
Joann F Gruber1,2,3,4, Sheri Morris5, Kimberly A Warren3
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
|April 27, 2021
Summary
A Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak at a summer camp was linked to pasteurized milk from a local dairy. Despite pasteurization, the dairy
Area of Science:
- Foodborne illness epidemiology
- Microbial food safety
Background:
- A cluster of Yersinia enterocolitica infections occurred in July 2019.
- The outbreak affected a youth summer camp and the surrounding community in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source and extent of the Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak.
- To identify the common exposure linking camp and community cases.
Main Methods:
- Conducted case finding and interviews for community cases.
- Performed a cohort study among adult camp staff using an online questionnaire.
- Collected and cultured milk samples from the implicated dairy; compared clinical and environmental isolates using whole-genome sequencing.
Main Results:
- Identified 109 Yersinia enterocolitica cases.
- Pasteurized milk from Dairy A was identified as the likely source, with 31 of 37 known consumers falling ill.
- Whole-genome sequencing confirmed indistinguishable isolates from patients and unpasteurized milk; risk of illness was 5.3 times higher for milk consumers.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurized milk from a small dairy with on-site pasteurization was identified as the source of the Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak.
- Despite pasteurization, contamination occurred, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in small-scale dairy operations.
- Collaboration between regulatory agencies and small dairies is recommended for enhanced outbreak prevention strategies.
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