Rockmelon salmonella outbreak is traced back to a farm in the NT - as pregnant women, children and the elderly are warned to avoid the fruit
- Pregnant women, infants and the elderly warned not to eat rockmelon
- There has been an outbreak of salmonella across the country
- The outbreak is linked to 'Red Dirt' a grower in the Northern Territory
- Red Dirt is recalling their products and removing it of the supply chain
- Rockmelons were last linked to an outbreak of salmonella in 2006
An outbreak of salmonella from contaminated rockmelon has been linked to 'Red Dirt,' a grower in the Northern Territory.
There have been 86 cases of Salmonella Hvittingfoss, a rare strain of Salmonella, reported nationally - 43 were in NSW and 20 were recorded in SA.
As a result Food Standards Australia has warned pregnant women, infants and the elderly to avoid eating the fruit.
Pregnant women, infants and the elderly have been warned not to eat rockmelon
'SA Health has confirmed that Salmonella has been found in rockmelons from a Northern Territory rockmelon grower,'SA Health Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said.
'Following the positive test results, the rockmelon grower 'Red Dirt' has said it will undertake a trade level recall of their product.
'All contaminated rockmelon will be removed from the supply chain.'
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People can start experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection between 12 and 72 hours after exposure.
'While we wait for further information, the best advice is that consumers, especially infants, the elderly, pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems, should not consume rockmelon,' it said in a statement on Tuesday.
Symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, headache, stomach cramps, and nausea and vomiting.
This is not the first time rockmelons have been linked to Salmonella.
In 2006, Australia's eastern states were hit with over 100 cases.
Food Standards Australia found those eating the fruit were later diagnosed with salmonella
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