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Created by
user-9b773, last updated by Brad Yang on Jun 12, 2025
2 minute read
Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Virchow (antigenic formula 6,7,14:r:1,2 ) is a serovar of the O:7 (C1) serogroup. S. Virchow is a serovar adapted to poultry, but also isolated from foodborne outbreaks not directly traced back to chicken products. A 2010 report from Switzerland reported that S. Virchow was one of the 5 most common Salmonella serovars in Europe, with reports of 3rd-generation cephalosporin- and fluoroquinolone-resistance. Most often, S. Virchow infection causes gastrointestinal illness, but a 1984 report from Essex, England identified septicemic patients who suffered from neurological symptoms. The clone corresponding to the 2017 multi-country outbreak has been circulating in the EU poultry meat production chain at least in France, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
NCBI PD link for serovar Virchow:
Genetic characteristics:
Animal reservoir: Serovar Virchow is associated with poultry, but dog-to-human transmission has been reported.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Virchow has been reported in North America, Japan and Europe.
Human outbreaks:
| Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US - Washington | undetermined | 43 confirmed |
| 2016 | US - multistate | organic meal & shake powder | 33 |
| 2017 | Multiple countries | Kebab meat | 210* |
*A total of 210 cases have been reported from the following countries: Denmark (2), France (111), Germany (26), Ireland (4), the Netherlands (34), the UK (32), and the US (1).
Border rejections:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2021 | India | Germany | Dog chews (dried tripes) | Pet food |
| 2020 | Poland | Italy | Frozen marinated chicken fillets1 | Poultry meat and poultry meat products |
1 Salmonella Enteritidis, Newport, and Virchow were found.
Recalls: Recalls have been associated with S. Virchow.
| Year | Location | Recalled Product | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe: multi-country1 | Frozen lime leaves2 | Fruits and vegetables |
| 2016 | US: multistate | Garden of Life RAW (organic) Meal powder | meal replacement |
1 Ireland, Croatia, and Hungary issued recalls.
2 Frozen lime leaves were from Thailand via Netherlands.
Relevant links:
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/465794
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/438516
- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/640654
- http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/virchow-02-16/advice.html
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/62/7/62_7_767/_pdf
- http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/03/outbreak-grows-garden-of-life-renames-recalled-protein-powder/#.Vx5kyUY5X4Y
- https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/salmonella-virchow-st16-chicken-meat