Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Altona (antigenic formula: 8,20:r,[i]:z6) is a serovar of the O:8 (C2-C3) serogroup. This serovar was first isolated from fish meal in Germany in 1958.
NCBI PD link for serovar Altona: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Altona%22)
Genetic characteristics: Serovar Altona has been found to be polyphyletic with three lineages identified.
Animal reservoir: Serovar Altona was mainly found in chickens but was also present in cattle, pigs, and horses.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Altona has been reported worldwide such as the US and the UK.
Human outbreaks:
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 | US: multistate | 4701 | |
2019 | US: multistate | 1,1342 | |
2011 | US: multistate | 963 |
1 The outbreak was initially associated with five Salmonella serovars: Altona, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium. The CDC indicated that two more-Cerro and Johannesburg-have been implicated in the illnesses.
2 Multiple Salmonella serovars were found including: Agona, Alachua, Altona, Anatum, Braenderup, Enteritidis, Infantis, Manhattan, Montevideo, Muenchen, Newport, and Oranienburg.
3 A cluster of 28 cases caused by serovar Johannesburg and a cluster of 68 cases caused by serovar Altona were identified in 24 states.
Border rejections:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Germany | Finland | Feed materials |
Recalls: There have been no recent recalls linked to this serovar.
Relevant links: