Purpose: To describe the recent epidemiology of yersiniosis in two non-FoodNet Midwestern states.
Methods: Yersiniosis is reportable in Illinois and Missouri. Culture-confirmed cases of Yersinia enterocolitica infection reported to the state health departments during 2005-2011 were analyzed to examine demographic characteristics, seasonality, and annual incidence (calculated per 100,000 population using US census data).
Results: Two hundred and twenty confirmed yersiniosis cases were reported, (160 from Illinois, 60 from Missouri). The average annual incidence was 0.17 cases (Illinois 0.18, Missouri 0.14) compared to 0.3 for FoodNet states. An overall decline in incidence was not observed (P = 0.63). Among the 179 cases with race information, 92 (51%) were White, 72 (40%) Black, 9 (5%) Asian and 7 (4%) other races. The average annual incidence was highest among Blacks (0.40) compared to Asians (0.19) and Whites (0.09). Seventy-one percent of the cases among Blacks occurred during November to January. No seasonality was observed in other races although 18% of cases occurred in March among Whites. Incidence was higher among children < 5 years of age (1.27) compared to persons > 64 years (0.25) and 5-64 years (0.07). Black children <5 years of age had the highest annual incidence rates (4.42). In Illinois, children < 5 years were more likely to have a history of chitterlings being served at home within 7 days before illness onset compared to persons older than 64 years (39% vs 0%, OR=∞, 95% CI=1.46-∞).
Significance: A higher incidence and a winter seasonal trend among Blacks were consistent findings with recent FoodNet published data. However, no decrease in incidence was observed in Illinois and Missouri. Additional prevention efforts are needed to reduce the incidence of this foodborne disease.