Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Chester (antigenic formula: 1,4,[5],12:e,h: e,n,x:) is a serovar of the O:4 (B) serogroup. Serovar Chester is a rare serovar worldwide; in the US during 2001-2011, only 403 human cases have been reported. In addition, animal and food surveillance have not found S. Chester in these sources in the US. A recent recall of fish meal feed materials from Morocco was conducted in the EU.
NCBI PD link for serovar Chester: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Chester%22)
Animal reservoir: There is not clear evidence of the animal reservoir for this serovar, although serovar Chester has been found in various animals, including turkeys, cattle, reptiles, and birds.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Chester have been reported worldwide, including countries in North (US, Canada) and South America (Brazil), Morocco and Australia.
Human outbreaks: Despite the fact that this is a rare serovar, multiple outbreaks have been reported. Below are examples.
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
2010 | Canada | 33 | |
2010 | US: multistate | 44 | |
2005 | Australia | 26 | |
1998 | Australia | 36 |
Border rejections:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2023 | Spain | France | Frozen chicken drumstick1 | Poultry meat and poultry meat products |
| 2023 | Turkey | Switzerland | Red Paprika, sweet | Herbs and spices |
| 2021 | The United Kingdom | Denmark | Fishmeal pellets for farmed salmon | Feed materials |
1 Salmonella Vichow and Salmonella Chester were both found.
Recalls:
| Year | Location | Recalled food | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Germany | Organic moringa powder from Sri Lanka | Dietetic foods, food supplements and fortified foods |
Relevant links: