Rockmelons removed over listeria outbreak

MORE Queenslanders are expected to be diagnosed with listeria after a deadly outbreak that’s forced major retailers to pull rockmelons from shelves.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Sunshine Coast HHS and Metro North HHS have each notified Queensland Health of a case between January 17 and February 9.

Three Queenslanders are among 10 elderly residents nationally who contracted the illness. A further case is believed to be linked to consumption of the fruit. Two patients have since died in NSW.

The outbreak has been linked to a grower in Nericon in the NSW Riverina region.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating the fruit. “Anyone who feels unwell or has health concerns should contact their GP,” she said.

Woolworths has pulled all NSW-grown fruit. Coles has withdrawn rockmelons in NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, NT and Tasmania and its online store.