Rockmelon warning issued after two die from listeria outbreak in NSW
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Two people have died from listeria this summer as a result of eating contaminated rockmelon from a grower in the NSW Riverina region.
Ten elderly people across Australia were diagnosed with the infection after consuming rockmelon and becoming ill between January 17 and February 9, the NSW Food Authority said in a statement on Wednesday.
Two people from NSW died, a NSW Health spokeswoman confirmed.
“Eating foods that contain listeria bacteria does not cause illness in most people, but in higher risk groups it can result in severe illness and even death, so it’s vitally important these people take extra care at all times,” NSW Health’s communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said.
The NSW Food Authority warned via tweet 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”.
Victoria’s health department also issued a public warning about the fruit on Wednesday.
“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Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said NSW authorities had “withdrawn the affected melons from further sale and distribution”.
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 a waste bin, not into compost bins to avoid further contamination.
The Australian Melon Association has urged people to remove or return any rockmelons purchased before Wednesday.
“Any current rockmelon bought before today, discard or take it back to the shop,” Australian Melon Association industry development manager Dianne Fullelove told AAP on Wednesday.
“Fruit on the shelf now is from farms that are not implicated.”
What is Listeria?
“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 Victorian health 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.”
Additional reporting: AAP
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