As of today, a total of nineteen people have been affected by the Australian Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated rockmelon, in New South Wales (6), Victoria (8), Queensland (4) and Tasmania (1). There are three fatalities in Victoria and two in New South Wales have also died from eating the tainted fruit.

Through the use of state of the art genetic sequencing technology the outbreak was narrowed from thousands of possible sources to a grower in Nericon, Rombola Family Farms.

People who are most vulnerable to Listeria infection (such as older persons, and people who have weakened immune systems due to illness or pregnancy) are advised to discard all rockmelon purchased before March 1, 2018.

All People at risk of listeriosis are reminded to avoid the following foods:

• pre-cut melons such as rockmelon or watermelon
• pre-packed cold salads including coleslaw and fresh fruit salad
• pre-cooked cold chicken, cold delicatessen meats, pâté
• raw seafood, uncooked smoked seafood (e.g. smoked salmon)
• unpasteurised milk or milk products, soft cheeses (e.g. brie, camembert, ricotta or blue-vein)
• sprouted seeds.

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Listeria outbreaks. The Listeria lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Listeria and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Listeria lawyers have litigated Listeria cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, cheese, celery and milk.

If you or a family member became ill with a Listeria infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Listeria attorneys for a free case evaluation.