CANBERRA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A third person has been killed by an Australian listeria outbreak connected to rock melons.
The unidentified third victim died in Victoria on Friday, authorities confirmed, following the deaths of two elderly people in New South Wales (NSW) earlier in the week.
At least 15 people around Australia have been diagnosed with listeria infections this year, but only 10 have been linked to eating the affected rock melons, also known as cantaloupes.
All affected products, which came from one of Australia's biggest melon producers in NSW, have been withdrawn from sale and distribution.
Listeria is a bacterium which can be deadly for pregnant women, elderly people, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems.
Brett Sutton, Victoria's deputy chief health officer, said the infection began with flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills and nausea.
"In immunosuppressed patients, listeriosis usually presents as a brain inflammation, brain abscess or blood poisoning. Pneumonia, and heart valve infections have also been described," Sutton said on Friday night.
On Friday, the NSW Food Authority (NSWFA) confirmed that it had been investigating a possible listeria outbreak linked to the melons since January.
Lisa Szabo, chief executive of NSWFA, said more than 500 samples were tested to determine the source of the bacteria.
"They used the latest molecular technology, which is whole genome sequencing, to see if there is any relationship between the people who became ill," Szabo said.
The Australian Melon Association has already committed to a comprehensive review of how fruit is packed to prevent future outbreaks.
