Listeria monocytogenes Australia · 2018

Listeriosis outbreak linked to rockmelons, Australia, 2018

WHO reported 20 outbreak cases in Australia, 19 confirmed and 1 probable, with illness onset from 17 January to 6 April 2018. All were hospitalised, 7 died and there was one miscarriage. Rockmelons from a single grower were recalled on 27 February 2018. The fruit had been exported to ten countries, including Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, which were advised through INFOSAN.¹

Counts as reported on 6 April 2018.¹ Food vehicle: Rockmelons (cantaloupe) from a single grower.

Timeline

1. 17 January 2018Earliest illness onset in the outbreak.¹
2. 27 February 2018Recall of rockmelons produced by the grower.¹
3. 2 March 2018Australia notified WHO of the outbreak.¹
4. 3 March 2018Importing countries advised directly and via INFOSAN.¹
5. 4 April 2018More than 30 melon samples and the packing area tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.¹

Sources

1. World Health Organization, Listeriosis, Australia (Disease Outbreak News) (9 April 2018)