Another death and miscarriage linked to contaminated cantaloupe

An elderly man has died, and a woman has had a miscarriage, as Victorians continue to be affected by the listeria outbreak, connected to cantaloupe from NSW.

The death of the man in his 80s has only just been linked to the outbreak through microbiological testing, bringing the number of Victorian deaths to three.

The investigation has also confirmed a miscarriage.

All eight of the Victorians affected by the outbreak, four men and four women, have been in high risk groups.

The deputy chief health officer Brett Sutton, says they consumed the fruit before the national recall.

He’s reissued a warning that listeria infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women, their unborn babies, and elderly people.

Pregnant women are urged to avoid eating items including pre-cut melons, other pre-cut fruit and vegetables, cold seafood and soft cheeses.