DEADLY BUG

Five die and one pregnant woman suffers a miscarriage after eating contaminated MELONS

FIVE people have died and one mum-to-be suffered a miscarriage after eating MELONS.

The latest victim was a man in his 80s, from Victoria, Australia.

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Five people have died and one woman lost her baby after eating melons contaminated with the bacteria listeria

All the victims have died after eating melons contaminated with listeria – a nasty bacteria that can trigger the serious condition listeriosis.

In Australia, the authorities also said a pregnant woman lost her baby, amid the national outbreak.

Deputy chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton told “Sadly, the investigation has also confirmed that a miscarriage has also been linked to the outbreak.”

All the cases are thought to be in at-risk groups.

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Pregnant women should call their midwife or GP for an urgent appointment if they think they have listeriosis

The NHS warns it can prove dangerous “if you’re pregnant or have a weak immune system”.

Four women and four men in Victoria have fallen ill as a result.

The cantaloupe melon producer – in Oz they’re known as rock melons – voluntarily stopped producing the fruit, after learning of the contamination.

All affected melons have been withdrawn from sale, and are no longer available to buy.

Why is listeria dangerous to pregnant women?

LISTERIA can trigger the severe condition listeriosis, which can harm an unborn baby.

It’s typically caught from eating foods including:

  • unpasteurised milk
  • dairy products made from unpasteurised milk
  • soft cheeses, like Camembert and Brie
  • chilled ready-to-eat foods, like prepacked sarnies, pate and deli meats

Symptoms of listeriosis are:

  • a high temperature, over 38C or higher
  • aches and pains
  • chills
  • feeling sick or vomiting
  • diarrhoea

If you are worried, call your midwife or GP straight away

Listeria infections are particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Health Victoria issued advice that pregnant women should avoid eating “pre-cut melons, such as rockmelon or watermelon, salads, cold seafood and cold deli meats, soft cheeses, soft-serve ice cream, dipsand any unpasteurised dairy products”.

“Infection in pregnant women may be mild and a temperature before or during birth may be the only sign,” experts warned.

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“However, the infection can be transmitted to the foetus through the placenta which can result in stillbirth or premature birth.

“Listeriosis starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and sometimes diarrhoea.

“In immunosuppressed patients, listeriosis usually presents as a brain inflammation, brain abcess or blood poisoning.

“Pneumonia, and heart valve infections have also been described.”

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