Rockmelon alert issued after fatal outbreak causes two deaths in Australia
Rockmelon eaters have been put on high alert after a fatal outbreak, with reports confirming a contaminated batch originating from a grower in the NSW Riverina region.
Two victims have been hit by the bug after eating the fruit, with News.com.au suggesting 10 others have been struck down by food poisoning caused by listeria.
States and territories across Australia are working together to investigate the current outbreak, with the company responsible voluntarily ceasing production last Friday.
While the affected fruits have been removed from supermarket shelves, authorities have warned that many people may already have infected rockmelons in their home.
The NSW Food Authority has warned consumers like seniors and those with illness or pregnancy to avoid rockmelon entirely if they are unaware of the source.
What is listeria?
Listeria is found widely in the environment, and while it rarely causes serious illness in the general population it can be devastating to those who are vulnerable.
The condition starts with flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea which can take a few days or weeks to appear after contamination. If you feel you are at risk, it’s recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Were you aware of this scare? Do you regularly consume rockmelon?