17/04/2026
🚨 Updated topic alert: 🦠 Yersinia infections
🦠Yersinia pestis🦠 causes plague, a notifiable infection transmitted via infected flea bites.
↪️ Plague has a high case fatality if untreated, particularly for pneumonic disease. Prompt antibiotics, supportive care, and immediate isolation with droplet precautions are required.
🦠Yersinia enterocolitica🦠 causes yersiniosis via ingestion of contaminated food or water.
↪️ It typically presents as self-limiting gastroenteritis, but reactive arthritis may occur. Supportive management is usually sufficient, with antibiotics reserved for invasive infection.
Read the updated Best Practice topic on Yersinia infection here: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1156