Health Authority Publishes List Of Foods To Avoid Following Another Listeria Death

Five people have died


Article heading image for Health Authority Publishes List Of Foods To Avoid Following Another Listeria Death

Five people have died following the outbreak of listeria that has been traced back to rockmelons.

One woman has also miscarried as a result of the disease.

Three Victorians and two people from New South Wales died after consuming rockmelon that has been linked to a farm in Griffith, NSW.

"Sadly, the investigation has confirmed that a miscarriage has also been linked to the outbreak," deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said.

Four women and four men are among those that have contracted the illness, all of whom are classified as vulnerable as either elderly or pregnant people.

The NSW Food Authority and Berejiklian Government has been criticised regarding allegations that there was a delay in warning the public after investigations commenced in January.

However, NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair denied this claim, telling the ABC that everything was done "by the book".

Health Victoria has issued a warning advising pregnant women to avoid eating cut precut rockmelons or watermelon, salads, cold seafood and deli meats, soft cheeses, soft serve ice-cream, dips and unpasteurised dairy products.

“Infection in pregnant women may be mild and a temperature before or during birth may be the only sign. However, the infection can be transmitted to the foetus through the placenta which can result in stillbirth or premature birth.

“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.”

16 March 2018




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