Yersinia enterocolitica 2/O:9 outbreak in France linked to raw cow milk cheese, 2024
Sabrina Tessier, Cyril Savin, Elodie Terrien, Joëlle Remonnay, Pierre Pamart, Nathalie Fredriksen, Laura Guichard, Carine Martins, Emmanuelle Houard, Christine Girardin, François Clinard, Edith Laurent, Joël Mossong, Olivier Retel, Martine Denis, Anne-Sophie Le Guern, Fanny ChereauAbstract
Enteric yersiniosis represents the fourth most frequently reported bacterial foodborne zoonosis in Europe and has been responsible for several outbreaks. Infections are primarily caused by Yersinia enterocolitica and, to a lesser extent, by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Investigation of an outbreak caused by Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 2/O:9 with isolates belonging to a single genomic cluster (0–3 alleles distances mismatch between isolates) identified common exposure to a raw cowʼs milk cheese, leading to an international product recall. The outbreak affected 167 confirmed cases between 17 September 2024 and 07 March 2025 in France and 5 cross-border cases. Y. enterocolitica isolates belonging to the same genomic cluster were detected in the cheese at the cheese factory and in a milking machine filter of a milk producer. This investigation is a reminder of the risks associated with raw milk cheese consumption. We emphasize the need for producers of milk to identify and prevent critical contamination points for Y. enterocolitica.