Salmonella outbreak in Australia fears over rockmelon

A salmonella outbreak in Australia has been linked to rockmelons, prompting authorities to warn pregnant women, infants and the elderly to avoid eating the tropical fruit.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on Wednesday launched an investigation into the fruit after it was linked to a spike in salmonella cases throughout a number of Australian states.

A statement released by FSANZ on Wednesday said while there was no sure source of the salmonella, those who cannot afford to risk their health should avoid the purchase and consumption of rockmelon.

"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," the statement read.

"(FSANZ) will continue to work with the state and territory enforcement agencies and the Federal Department of Health and update its advice to consumers."

Rockmelons have previously been linked to cases of salmonella in the United States as recently as 2002, but also in both the 1950s and 1960s, and food authorities have said that rockmelons could carry salmonella as a result of water contamination, or contact with pests, wild animals or fertilizers.

Australians have been warned to keep rockmelons well refrigerated, to wash their hands before and after handling the fruit, and to rinse it with cold tap water before consumption.

Australia's latest outbreak follows a similar spate of cases earlier this year. In February, more than 200 cases of salmonella were reported as a result of poorly washed lettuce. Endit