Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Panama (antigenic formula 1,9,12:l,v:1,5:[R1…]) is a serovar of the O:9 (D1) serogroup. S. Panama is foodborne, but has also been reported in several cases of neonatal meningitis back to the 1960's, in one recent case linked to breast milk.
NCBI PD link for serovar Panama: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pathogens/isolates/#(taxgroup_name:%22Salmonella%20enterica%22)%20AND%20computed_types:(%22serotype=Panama%22)
Genetic characteristics:
Animal reservoir:
Geographical distribution: S. Panama has been reported in the US, Europe and Taiwan.
Human outbreaks:
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
|---|---|---|---|
2023 | US: KY | Not reported | 9 |
2015-2016 | Taiwan | Not identified | 41 |
2011 | US: multistate | Cantaloupes from Guatemala | 20 |
Border rejections:
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2020 | Brazil | Germany | Black pepper1 | Herbs and spices |
1 Salmonella Infantis and Panama were found.
Recalls:
| Year | Location | Recalled product | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US: multistate | Cantaloupes1 | Fruits and vegetables |
1 This recall was caused by a multistate outbreak described above. Del Monte issued a recall of nearly 60,000 cantaloupes that were grown and shipped from the Del Monte Fresh farm Asuncion Mita in Guatemala.
Relevant links: