Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Mbandaka (antigenic formula 6,7,14:z10:e,n,z15) is a serovar of the O:7(C1) serogroup. Serovar Mbandaka was reported to cause travel-associated  sacroiliac osteomyelitis in a healthy adolescent. 

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

Genetic characteristics: Salmonella Mbandaka can be classified into two major groups. However, clustering of these groups and their subgroups were not associated with any patterns based on the host or geographical origin. A study found that all isolates contained a uniform virulence gene repertoire. This serovar is multi-drug resistant. 

Animal reservoir: Chicken is the main reservoir for serovar Mbandaka. This serovar was also isolated from other animals (pigs, cattle, fish, wild birds, and canine). 

Geographical distribution: Serovar Mbandaka has been reported worldwide.

Human outbreaks: Numerous outbreaks in different countries have been linked to serovar Mbandaka, imported spices have been associated with several of these outbreaks. Below are some examples. 

Year

Location

Associated source

Number of cases

2024US: multistateBackyard poultry1470
2021-2024Europe: multi-countryFrozen steam-cooked chicken breast, produced in Ukraine2300
2018US: multistateHoney smack cereal135
2013US: multistateTahini316
2013US: multistateLive poultry4158
2008–2019US: MIRestaurant-related36

1 Multiple serovars, including Salmonella Altona, Cerro, Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Johannesburg, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium, were linked to this outbreak. The case number represents the total number of cases associated with the outbreak and does not specifically indicate the number of people infected by Salmonella Mbandaka.

2 Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 was the outbreak strain. A total of 300 cases were reported by March 15th, 2024. 

3 A total of 16 cases with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Montevideo (four persons) or Salmonella Mbandaka (12 persons) were reported from nine states.

4 Salmonella Infantis, Lille, Newport, and Mbandaka were involved in this outbreak. The case number represents the total number of cases associated with the outbreak and does not specifically indicate the number of people infected by Salmonella Mbandaka.

Border rejections: Multiple border rejections linked to serovar Mbandaka have been reported. Below are some examples.

Year

Exporting country

Importing country

Associated source

Product category

2024BelarusPolandRapeseed extraction mealFeed materials
2024ChinaItalyChili pepper (Capsicum annum)Herbs and spices
2023HungaryGermanyOnion powder1Other food product / mixed
2021ChileSwedenDried oreganoHerbs and spices

1 Salmonella Agona, Idikan, Richmond, Falkensee, Molade, Mbandaka and Senftenberg were found. 

Recalls: Multiple recalls linked to serovar Mbandaka have been reported. Below are some examples.

YearLocationRecalled foodType
2024FinlandBeef sirloin steak from GermanyMeat and meat products (other than poultry)
2024GermanyTahini sesame paste from Egypt, via FranceNuts, nut products and seeds
2023GermanyHelva with vanilla flavor from TurkeyConfectionery
2023GermanyTahini from Turkey, with raw material from NigeriaNuts, nut products and seeds
2022GermanySesame paste from SyriaCereals and bakery products
2018US: multistateHoney smacks cereal1Cereals and bakery products

1 This recall was resulted by a multistate outbreak described above. Kellogg company voluntarily recalled their 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of honey smacks cereal.

Relevant links:

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/543147
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39807938/
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/backyardpoultry-05-24/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-24/index.html
  4. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/rapid-outbreak-assessment-multi-country-outbreak-salmonella-mbandaka-st413-linked#:~:text=European%20Centre%20for%20Disease%20Prevention,first%20update%20%2D%2021%20March%202024.
  5. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/mbandaka-06-18/index.html
  6. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/salmonella/montevideo-tahini-05-13/index.html#:~:text=Investigation%20of%20the%20Outbreak,-During%20routine%20product&text=tahini%20sesame%20paste.-,Additional%20testing%20by%20the%20FDA%20isolated%20Salmonella%20Mbandaka%20from%20imported,recalled%20its%20tahini%20sesame%20paste.
  7. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7033a1.htm
  8. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6310a4.htm
  9. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/728058
  10. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/672949
  11. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/604602
  12. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/482582
  13. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/711679
  14. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/693421
  15. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/613060
  16. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/593511
  17. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/559826
  18. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kellogg-company-voluntarily-recalls-honey-smacks-cereal-due-possible-health-risk


  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36853053/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36586112/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35722838/
  4. https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2164-14-365
  5. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/fpd.2021.0018?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7653644/
  7. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13174