Listeria outbreak linked to NSW rockmelons


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Ten people across Australia have been struck down with food poisoning caused by listeria after eating contaminated rockmelons from a farm in NSW.


Victoria’s health department issued a public warning about the fruit on Wednesday when a case was found in its state.


“The outbreak has been linked to a particular grower in Nericon, NSW,” the department said in a statement.


Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said NSW authorities had “withdrawn the affected melons from further sale and distribution”.


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The company voluntarily ceased production on Friday, shortly after being notified of a potential link to illness and is working with authorities to further investigate how any contamination could have occurred.


Victoria’s health department is advising consumers who are uncertain of the origin of a rockmelon to dispose of it in the waste bin, not into compost bins to avoid further contamination.


“Listeria infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, their unborn babies and elderly people. It can cause death in people with compromised immune systems,” the department said in a statement.


“Listeriosis starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea. In immunosuppressed patients, listeriosis usually presents as a brain inflammation, brain abscess or blood poisoning. Pneumonia and heart valve infections have also been described.”


“Pregnant women should avoid eating pre-cut melons (such as rockmelon or watermelon) salads, cold seafood and cold deli meats, soft cheeses, soft-serve ice cream, dips and any unpasteurised dairy products.”


The NSW Food Authority also tweeted that “consumers who are most vulnerable to Listeria infection, (should) avoid eating rockmelon after a recent spike in listeriosis cases in elderly people has been linked to the fruit”.


Additional reporting: AAP


Article source: http://smh.com.au/sport/soccer/uae-hand-socceroos-huge-world-cup-boost-20170829-gy6ual.html

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