Salmonella Hvittingfoss

Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Hvittingfoss (antigenic formula 16:b:e,n,x) is a serovar of the O:16 (I) serogroup. Found in wild and domesticated reptiles and amphibians, and in food-producing mammals, this is a rare serovar, though it has been linked to human foodborne outbreaks.

Animal reservoir: Serovar Hvittingfoss has been recovered from amphibians (both those raised as pets and for food items) and reptiles.

Geographical distribution: S. Hvittingfoss has been reported in Thailand, Nigeria, Australia, Europe and the United States.

Human outbreaks:

Year	Location	Associated source	Number of cases
2023-2025	Norway	Sprouted seeds¹	12
2019	Hong Kong (China)	Toasted beef	6
2016	Australia: multistate	Rockmelons	97
2010	US: IL	Subway restaurant	103

1 Multiple serovars were involved in this prolonged outbreak. Here, the case number is only associated with infection by the serovar Hvittingfoss.

Border rejections:

Year	Exporting country	Importing country	Associated source	Product category
2020	India	Greece	Hulled sesame seeds	Nuts, nut products and seeds

Recalls:

Year	Location	Recalled food	Type
2024	Norway	Sprouts seeds¹	Nuts, nut products and seeds
2016	Australia	Rockmelons²	Fruits and vegetables

1 This recall was related to the prolonged cross-border multi-serovar Salmonella outbreak linked to consumption of sprouted seed described above.

² The Northern Territory based company “Red Dirt” issued a trade level recall. This recall was caused by the outbreak described above.

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Salmonella Hvittingfoss