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Created by
user-9b773, last updated by Brad Yang on Jun 12, 2025
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US: multistate | Organic meal & shake powder | 33 |
| 2012 | US - Washington | undetermined | 43 confirmed |
| 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 | Meal replacement3 | Other food product / mixed |
1 Ireland, Croatia, and Hungary issued recalls.
2 Frozen lime leaves were from Thailand via Netherlands.
3 This recall was caused by a multistate outbreak described above. Garden of Life, LLC extended its recall of RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal chocolate, original, vanilla, and vanilla chai products on February 12, 2016, adding more lots to the list.
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
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/salmonella/virchow-02-16/advice.html