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Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Brandenburg (antigenic formula 4,[5],12:l,v:e,n,z₁₅) is a serovar of the O:4 (B) serogroup. In New Zealand, in 1996 S. Brandenburg emerged in the sheep population and caused a number of outbreaks. During these outbreaks in sheep, S. Brandenburg has caused abortion in pregnant ewes and has killed approx. the half of infected ewes. In addition, outbreaks in cattle have also been reported in New Zealand. It is considered an occupational hazard, because farmers can acquire the disease by contact with infected animals. is reported among the 15^th most common serovars in Europe.

NCBI PD link for serovar Brandenburg: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Brandenburg%22)

Animal reservoir: Serovar Brandenburg was found in different animal species (pigs, turkey, cattle, horse, deer and sheep). However, in New Zealand, it was predominantly found in ruminants (sheep mostly).

Geographical distribution: Serovar Brandenburg has been reported worldwide.

Human outbreaks: Outbreaks have occurred in different countries since 1963. Below are a few examples.

Year	Location	Associated source	Number of cases
2008	Italy	Restaurant associated	Approx. 200
2001	Japan	Hospital associated¹	-
1992	Switzerland	Not clear, multiple foods and animals were found positive	-
1963	England	Pork products	-

¹ Salmonella Brandenburg and Salmonella Corvallis were both involved.

Animal outbreaks:

Year	Location	Breed	Number of cases
2011	New Zealand	Ewes	100~180
1996	New Zealand	Cattle¹	NA

¹ Brandenburg infection causes late-term abortions, sickness, and death in cattle, typically occurring during the late dry period (late winter/early spring). In naïve herds, first-calving heifers appear to be the most affected, with up to 35% experiencing abortions. During outbreaks, mortality rates can vary, averaging around 5%.

Border rejections:

Year	Exporting country	Importing country	Associated source	Product category
2022	Poland	Latvia	Chicken leg quarter¹	Poultry meat and poultry meat products
2021	Lithuania	Latvia	Pork chop mass, chilled	Meat and meat products (other than poultry)

¹ Salmonella Brandenburg was found in 2 out of 5 samples.

Recalls:

Year	Location	Recalled food	Type
2021	France	Chorizo made in Spain	Meat and meat products (other than poultry)
2020	Italy	Formaggio Raschera	Milk and milk products

Relevant links: