The burden of yersiniosis in New Zealand, 2022.

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the burden of yersiniosis and sequelae in New Zealand, expressed as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Methods: Information on the incidence of yersiniosis was taken from the New Zealand notifiable disease database (EpiSurv). Information on the duration and subsequent sequelae (reactive arthritis, erythema nodosum) were obtained from a New Zealand case-control study. Transition factors (e.g., proportion of cases for which a specimen is requested, proportion of cases providing a specimen) were taken from the New Zealand Acute Gastrointestinal Illness (AGI) Study. Disability weights used to calculate DALYs were those from the 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study.

Results: For 2022, the burden of yersiniosis in New Zealand was estimated to be 119 (95% credible interval 41.5-243) DALYs. Most of the burden (110/119 DALYs) was due to primary gastroenteritis. Rates of reactive arthritis and erythema nodosum were similar to those observed in overseas studies.

Conclusion: The burden of disease due to yersiniosis is predominantly due to the long duration of the gastrointestinal disease, with relatively minor contributions from sequelae.