USA – CDC – Persistent Strain of Salmonella Newport (REPJJP01) Linked to Travel to Mexico, Beef, and Soft Cheese

CDC

REPJJP01

REPJJP01 is a persistent, multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport bacteria that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the United States and globally.

Illness caused by this strain was first reported to PulseNet in late 2015. As of March 31, 2023, information from 2,423 people infected with REPJJP01 was reported to PulseNet. Among 1,378 people interviewed, 31% were hospitalized. Among 1,175 people with information on the outcome of infection, fewer than 1% died. Among 1,312 ill people, 63% self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 33% self-identified as non-Hispanic/Latino White, and 4% self-identified as being non-Hispanic/Latino and another race. The median age of ill people was 38 years (interquartile range, 22–55 years) and 55% were female. Illnesses caused by this strain happen throughout the year but are less common in winter.

Almost half (49%) of 1,383 people with information reported traveling to Mexico before their illness began. People with illness caused by REPJJP01 also have reported consuming contaminated beef products from the United States and Mexico and consuming contaminated cheese (including queso fresco and Oaxaca cheese) obtained in Mexico.

This strain of Salmonella Newport is relatively diverse genetically. Bacteria in this strain are within 21 allele differences of one another by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). This is more genetically diverse than typical multistate foodborne outbreaks in which bacteria generally fall within 10 allele differences of one another.

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