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Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Poona (antigenic formula 1,13,22:z:1,6:[z44],[z59]) is a serovar of the O:13 (G) serogroup.
NCBI PD link for serovar Poona: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Poona%22)
Genetic Characteristics: Serovar Poona has been found to be paraphyletic as serovar Bristol clusters within this serovar. A study of Salmonella genomes from human salmonellosis cases in Ghana found a strain of serovar Poona that carried blaCTX-M-15, qnrB1, and other antimicrobial resistance genes.
Animal reservoirReservoir: Serovar Poona is has been found in turtles, and has been associated with salmonellosis outbreaks in pet turtles.
Geographical distributionDistribution: Serovar Poona has been found in the United States,reported worldwide.
Human Outbreaks: Several outbreaks have been associated with serovar Poona.Outbreaks:
| Year | Location | Associated |
|---|
| source | Number of |
|---|
| cases | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe: multi-country1 | Infant formula | 32 |
| 2019 | Finland | Watermelon | 9 |
| 2015-2016 | US-multistate | Pet turtles | 70 |
| 2015-2016 | US-multistate | Cucumbers from Mexico | 907 |
| 2015 | US-multistate | Pet turtles | 25 |
| 2000-2002 | US-multistate | Cantaloupe | 1552 |
1France, Belgium, and Luxembourg
2Three outbreaks of serovar Poona linked to cantaloupe occurred in 2000-2002. This is the total case number for all three outbreaks.
Border Rejections: Numerous border rejections linked to Salmonella Poona have been reported. A majority of these border rejections were associated with black pepper and identified multiple Salmonella serovars including serovar Poona. A few examples are listed below:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2024 | Greenland | Germany | Frozen prawns | Crustaceans and products thereof |
...
| 2021 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper1 | Herbs and spices |
| 2020 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper | Herbs and spices |
1Both Salmonella Poona and Morehead were identified
Recalls:
| Year | Location | Recalled food | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe: multi-county1 | Infant formula | Other food product |
| 2015 | US-multistate | Cucumbers | Produce |
1France and Luxembourg
Relevant links:
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1547190/abstract
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01010
- https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/rapid-outbreak-assessment-multi-country-outbreak-salmonella-poona-infections
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100404
- http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/small-turtles-10-15/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5146a2.htm
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/715731
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/513979
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/420257
- http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/index.html
- http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/advice.html