More victims in rockmelons listeria outbreak

THE national rockmelon outbreak has claimed its fourth victim in Victoria, adding to the growing toll of listeria across Australia’s east coast.

A FOURTH person has reportedly died from listeria linked to a national rockmelon outbreak.

Victorian health authorities confirmed the death, which means two people from NSW and two from Victoria have been killed by the outbreak.

Seventeen cases of listeria have now been linked to the contaminated fruit, which was grown in NSW.

Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Sutton confirmed the latest death had been linked to the listeria outbreak.

“This latest case has only just been linked to the outbreak as a result of our microbiological testing,” Dr Sutton said.

Affected fruit has been withdrawn from sale. Picture: Jim Trifylli

Following the death of a third person in NSW last week, NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the victims recorded an onset of the illness in the week after the initial cases.

“All 15 cases are elderly people, and most of them have significant underlying health conditions,” Dr Sheppeard said. “Six of these cases, including two of the people who died, are from NSW.”

At the time, Dr Sheppeard confirmed 13 of the 15 people had consumed rockmelon before the onset of their illness

“People vulnerable to listeriosis should discard any rockmelons purchased before 1 March,” she warned.

News of the fourth death comes amid crisis talks in the melon industry, which is reviewing how it packs its fruit after the deadly outbreak.

The NSW Food Authority has advised the outbreak has been linked to one grower at Nericon in central-western NSW.

The NSW Food Authority has advised the outbreak has been linked to one grower at Nericon in central-western NSW.

The company in central-western NSW voluntarily ceased production last Friday, shortly after being notified of a potential link to illness, the NSW Food Authority said.

Affected fruit has been removed from supermarkets, but people may already have infected rockmelons in their homes and are being urged not to eat the fruit.

Listeria is particularly dangerous to pregnant women, with the Victorian Health Department warning them to avoid eating rockmelon if they are unsure of its origin.

The NSW Food Authority has warned consumers most vulnerable to Listeria infection — such as older people and those with weakened immune systems due to illness or pregnancy — to avoid the fruit if they haven’t checked its source, and throw it out if they already have rockmelon at home.

But authorities have withdrawn the affected melons from sale and distribution.