Rockmelons blamed for NSW salmonella cases
NSW health authorities believe an outbreak of salmonella can be traced to eating rockmelons.
About 50 cases of the salmonella saint-Paul strain have been confirmed since the beginning of October – a big increase on monthly averages of between one and seven cases. A study of the cases shows 90% of patients reported eating rockmelon.
The States’s health director of communicable diseases, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, says salmonella contamination on the surface of the fruit is transferred to the flesh when it is cut open to eat.
