Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Panama (antigenic formula 1,9,12:l,v:1,5) is a serovar of the O:9 (D1) serogroup. Serovar Panama was first identified in 1931 after being isolated during a foodborne outbreak affecting US military personnel stationed in Panama. In Taiwan, a case of neonatal meningitis caused by serovar Panama was linked to consumption of contaminated breast milk. Serovar Panama has been found to be an invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) serovar.
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: Serovar Panama demonstrates a broad host range, including swine, cattle, reptiles, and amphibians.
Geographical distribution: Serovar Panama has been widely distributed globally.
Human outbreaks: Multiple human outbreaks linked to serovar Panama have been reported. Below are some example.
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
|---|---|---|---|
2023 | US: KY | Not reported | 9 |
2017 | Costa Rica | Not identified | 5 |
2015-2016 | Taiwan | Not identified | 41 |
2011 | US: multistate | Cantaloupes from Guatemala | 20 |
2001 | US: TX | Barbeque chicken | 109 |
1931 | Panama | Not identified | About 40 |
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: