Background:  Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Kiambu (antigenic formula 1,4,12:z:1,5) is a serovar of the O:4 (B) serogroup. Serovar Kiambu was found to be the most common Salmonella serovar in chicken in Ontario, Canada. 

Animal reservoir: S. Kiambu was isolated from chicken, dog, and cattle. 

Geographical distribution: This serovar has been found in Germany, the U.S., Canada, Grenada, Japan, and Australia.

Human outbreaks:

Year
Location
Associated Source
Number of Cases
2023US: multistateDry dog food7
2017US: multistateMaradol papayas imported from Mexico2201
2008USUnknown 32
1 This outbreak involved five Salmonella serovars: Thompson, Kiambu, Agona, Gaminara, and Senftenberg. Across 23 states, 220 cases were reported involving infections from the outbreak strains: Salmonella Thompson (144), Kiambu (54), Agona (12), Gaminara (7), and Senftenberg (3).


Border rejections: Multiple border rejections associated with serovar Kiambu were reported. They are all linked to black pepper imported from Brazil into Germany. Below are some examples. 

Year

Exporting country

Importing country

Associated source

Product category

2021BrazilGermanyBlack pepper1Herbs and spices
2021BrazilGermanyBlack pepper2Herbs and spices
2020BrazilGermanyBlack pepperHerbs and spices

1 Salmonella Rubislaw, Freetown, Kiambu, Newport, Poona and Sandiego O:5- were found. 

2 Salmonella Kiambu, Ealing, and Newport were found. 

Recalls: 

Year

Location

Associated source

Type

2023US: multistateDry dog food1Pet food

1 This recall was resulted by a multistate outbreak described above. Multiple brands including Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds, and some Member's Mark varieties issued a recall. 

Relevant links:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/dog-food-10-23/investigation.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/kiambu-11-23/details.html
  2. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/kiambu-07-17/index.html
  3. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/522349
  4. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/471644
  5. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/451084
  6. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-and-cdc-investigate-cases-salmonella-linked-pet-food-made-mid-america-pet-food-multiple-brands
  7. https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm568097.htm
  8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X15010307
  9. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.01923-22
  10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002203022101078X
  11. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/canada-communicable-disease-report-ccdr/monthly-issue/2021-47/issue-5-6-may-june-2021/salmonella-enterica-canada-2006-2019.html
  12. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/MRA.00335-20
  13. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdi3201o.htm
  14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320985716_Serovars_and_antimicrobial_resistance_of_non-typhoidal_Salmonella_isolated_from_non-diarrhoeic_dogs_in_Grenada_West_Indies
  15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1151792/
  16. https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc3675922
  17. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-10/Salmonella-Serotype-Annual-2014.pdf