Elderly NSW woman sixth to die from rockmelon-borne listeria

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Elderly NSW woman sixth to die from rockmelon-borne listeria

By Jenny Noyes

A woman in her 90s has become the sixth person to die from listeria linked to contaminated rockmelon.

She is the third fatal case from NSW, while three others who died were from Victoria.

A total of 19 people nationally have been affected by the outbreak, including a woman who suffered a miscarriage.

NSW Health confirmed the elderly woman's death in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. It said she had significant underlying health issues and had developed listeriosis before the outbreak was identified.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases with NSW Health said there have been no new cases associated with the outbreak in NSW since it was first identified on February 19.

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Health authorities connected the outbreak to rockmelon grower Rombola Family Farms in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

“It is still possible that more cases will be linked to the outbreak given the incubation period for the disease is up to 70 days, however there is no ongoing risk of listeriosis from rockmelons now on sale," she said.

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