[Yersinia enterocolitica infection. Epidemiology, risk factors and preventive measures].

Yersinia enterocolitica is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in Norway. The infection may provoke a number of serious postinfectious complications, most notably non-purulent arthritis. This article reviews aspects of epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention of the disease, with special emphasis on a case-control study conducted in south-eastern Norway. The results indicate that the following preventive measures are likely to have the greatest impact on the occurrence of the infection: (a) reducing Y enterocolitica contamination of pork and pork products by changes in slaughtering procedures and improvement of hygiene during production and processing, (b) educating consumers about the importance of good hygienic practices during handling and preparation of food and sufficient cooking of meat products, and (c) providing the consumers with drinking water of adequate hygienic quality.