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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/03/rockmelon-warning-after-spike-in-salmonella-cases-in-australia
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| Rockmelon warning after spike in cases of rare salmonella strain across Australia | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pregnant women and other vulnerable groups in Australia are being warned against eating rockmelon after a spike in cases of salmonella was tentatively linked to the fruit. | Pregnant women and other vulnerable groups in Australia are being warned against eating rockmelon after a spike in cases of salmonella was tentatively linked to the fruit. |
| Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) said in a statement on Tuesday it was investigating an increase in salmonella cases across Australia “possibly associated” with the fruit. | |
| It is working with state and territory enforcement agencies and the federal Department of Health. | It is working with state and territory enforcement agencies and the federal Department of Health. |
| In the meantime it has advised pregnant women, infants, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems to avoid the fruit. | In the meantime it has advised pregnant women, infants, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems to avoid the fruit. |
| FSANZ has been contacted by Guardian Australia for comment. | FSANZ has been contacted by Guardian Australia for comment. |
| The Australian Melon Association said on Wednesday up to 80 people, most in the greater Sydney metropolitan area, had been affected by the “exceedingly rare” Hvittingfoss strain of salmonella in the past few weeks. | |
| Related: Number of salmonella cases in Victoria linked to lettuce doubles to reach 54 | Related: Number of salmonella cases in Victoria linked to lettuce doubles to reach 54 |
| It said rockmelons were the most likely source of the contamination, and “other types of melons are not implicated”. (Rockmelons are also known as cantaloupes.) | |
| “We want more details so consumers can find out which parts of Australia are not impacted,” spokeswoman Dianne Fullelove told AAP. | |
| “We would like to have our supply chain moving. At the moment it’s virtually stopped.” | |
| The fruit has previously been linked to salmonella, with 50 cases linked to the Saintpaul strain reported in New South Wales in 2006. | |
| In America in 2011, rockmelon contaminated with listeria was linked to more than 20 deaths. | |
| According to the NSW Food Authority, rockmelons can become contaminated with salmonella through contaminated water, fertiliser, contact with pests or animals or insufficient cleaning prior to sale. | According to the NSW Food Authority, rockmelons can become contaminated with salmonella through contaminated water, fertiliser, contact with pests or animals or insufficient cleaning prior to sale. |
| It advised that whole and sliced rockmelons can cause food poisoning. | It advised that whole and sliced rockmelons can cause food poisoning. |
| The risk can be minimised by purchasing only melons that are unbruised and undamaged. Fresh-cut produce should be kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice within two hours of peeling or cutting produce. | The risk can be minimised by purchasing only melons that are unbruised and undamaged. Fresh-cut produce should be kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice within two hours of peeling or cutting produce. |
| The NSW Food Authority also recommends washing rockmelons immediately before eating. | The NSW Food Authority also recommends washing rockmelons immediately before eating. |