Tasmanians have been warned to avoid eating rockmelon already in their homes following a spike in listeria infection cases linked with the fruit.
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Two people have died from listeria linked to rockmelons in Australia.
The infection starts with flu-like symptoms, including nausea, fever, muscle aches and diarrhoea, which can take up to six weeks to appear after eating contaminated food.
Tasmania has received fruit from a NSW grower linked with the outbreak, which has since voluntarily stopped production.
Tasmanian Public Health acting director Scott McKeown advised Tasmanians most vulnerable to listeria infection to not eat rockmelons they have bought.
For people who were aged over 70, pregnant, or has diabetes, cancer, or supressed immune systems, the infection could be extremely serious or life threatening, Mr McKeown said.
Affected rockmelons were being removed from supermarkets so the fruit currently available was not affected by the outbreak, he said.
Authorities have been investigating a recent Tasmanian listeria case was linked to rockmelon, he confirmed.
The person has been treated and recovered, Mr McKeown said.
“People at risk should consult their local doctor as early as possible if symptoms appear.”
The listeria bacteria was quite common in the environment, but it could affect some people severely, he said.